Title: Zelenskyy Set to Attend NATO Summit in The Hague Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to participate in the NATO summit in The Hague scheduled for June 24-25, according to a source from the Ukrainian presidency who spoke with AFP on Wednesday. The source emphasized that while the schedule is in place, a final decision will be made just before the summit. This meeting is viewed as a vital opportunity to sustain international support for Ukraine and advocate for a ceasefire.
NATO leaders are reportedly aiming to keep the summit concise to avoid straining the focus of prominent attendees, including former President Donald Trump, as highlighted by The Times.
During discussions at the G7 summit in Canada, senior Ukrainian officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, engaged with U.S. counterparts about potential support for defense projects in Ukraine. This support would be facilitated through a joint investment fund established in May. Svyrydenko noted that talks included U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll, with the death toll from a recent Russian assault on Kyiv rising to 28 and over 130 individuals injured. Rescue operations are still underway at the damaged apartment buildings. Russia’s defense ministry claims to have targeted a Ukrainian troop position in the Sumy region using an Iskander missile, although Reuters has been unable to independently verify this report or pinpoint its timing. Ukrainian authorities had previously reported an Iskander missile strike in Konotop, which damaged residential buildings but fortunately resulted in no casualties.
As the situation escalates, Ukraine is actively working to expel Russian forces from the Sumy region, where intense fighting persists.
In a separate development, Slovak police have arrested eight individuals, including officials from the defense ministry, as part of an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office into the alleged misuse of €7.4 million intended for military aid to Ukraine following the onset of war in February 2022. Former Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad described the police actions as “theatre.”
Furthermore, Slovakia’s current pro-Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico has shifted his policies significantly since taking office in 2023. He has halted military aid to Ukraine and recently visited Moscow, a move that has sparked widespread protests against his stance on the conflict.
Stay tuned for updates on these significant developments as the international community continues to navigate the complexities of the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
