Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 15:40 Denmark ramps up for Ukraine's EU membership push
Denmark Urges Ukraine Toward European Union Membership
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Denmark is gearing up for a strong EU Council presidency, kicking off July 1st, aiming to drive Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, announces that the government will put maximum pressure on EU partner Hungary, a prominent opponent of a swift accession process. The EU-27 has already given Ukraine a general pledge for membership, but the long road to membership seems likely. Denmark's presidency runs from July 1st to December 31st.
15:07 Dnipropetrovsk: Horror of new Russian attacks Russian drone and artillery assaults overnight have claimed the life of a 59-year-old in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to regional military governor Serhiy Lysak on Telegram. The man succumbed to his severe injuries, and four others were injured, including an 11-year-old boy. The governor also shares photos of damaged buildings following the attacks.
14:29 Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap once again Russia and Ukraine have completed another prisoner exchange. "Our people are finally coming back from Russian captivity," Ukrainian President Zelensky confirms. Details about the numbers of exchanged prisoners are not disclosed. The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirms the deal and releases photos of released soldiers waving and cheering with Russian flags. Zelensky also shares similar images of released Ukrainian soldiers with tears of joy, smiles, and phone calls to their loved ones. "The majority of them have been in captivity since 2022," Zelensky writes.
14:00 Russian soldiers opt for imprisonment over battlefield return Amidst escape difficulties, some Russian deserters have found an unusual solution to avoid returning to the warfront – they intentionally get themselves imprisoned. Their lawyers strategize to ensure their clients face real prison sentences to circumvent probation that could result in an immediate return to the frontlines. Russian magazine iStories reveals this new desertion tactic, sharing the story of Vladimir, who smiles when the judge announces his prison sentence. "Better this way than ending up somewhere in Ukraine under a bush," his lawyer says. An estimated 49,000 Russian soldiers have deserted.
13:09 Zelensky calls out unfulfilled US ceasefire offer One hundred days after Ukraine accepted a US proposal for a ceasefire, "Russia continues to play war," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha writes on social media. He calls for international community pressure on Moscow to end the war. Foreign Minister Sybiha states, "One hundred days of Russian manipulations and missed opportunities to cease the conflict. One hundred days in which Russia has escalated terror against Ukraine instead of eliminating it."
12:43 Finland goes against treaty, breaks ranks with European anti-mine roadmap Finland is leaving the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, following in the footsteps of the Baltic NATO states. Helsinki's parliament approves the move, citing the threat from eastern neighbor Russia. The Finnish military believes this step is crucial for defense. The agreement on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction has been in effect since March 1999. Finland signed the agreement in 2012. Leading international states, including the US, Russia, China, and India, have not joined the treaty.
12:11 Rutte résumé: NATO is about to slim down NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is planning to streamline the organization by eliminating two departments and cutting dozens of positions at the Brussels headquarters. This comes less than a year after Rutte took office in October 2024. Among the departments set to be cut are the public diplomacy department, which serves as NATO's press service, and the executive management department, which handles human resources. Their responsibilities will be largely taken over by other departments. Dozens of positions will be cut as part of the restructuring, with some staff hiring also planned.
11:26 Russian propaganda network dismantled in Argentina Argentine authorities have uncovered a Russian intelligence operation aimed at spreading Kremlin-friendly disinformation and influencing public opinion. The network, called La Compania, allegedly linked to the Russian government and the Kremlin project Lakhta, was led by Russian citizens Lev Konstantinovich Andriashev and Irina Yakovenko. Andriashev and Yakovenko are accused of receiving financial support to recruit local employees and conduct influence operations to promote Moscow's geopolitical interests.
10:52 Wiese is skeptical of Putin’s conversation offering The parliamentary business manager of the SPD parliamentary group, Dirk Wiese, shows openness to talks with Vladimir Putin but doubts Putin’s genuine willingness to negotiate. According to Wiese, Russian President Putin’s press conferences are merely staged events.
Early Start: SPD politician, Dirk Wiese, on Merz's "dirt work" comment
10:15 How seriously should Germany take Putin's threat?
Politics: Munz weighs in on Putin's threat to Germany
09:38 Many civilian casualties in Kyiv - Putin denies responsibility
09:04 Over 28 civilians injured in Kherson region under Russian attack
08:23 Putin sets stage for Western propaganda during St. Petersburg Economic Forum
07:39 Over 1000 Russian soldiers killed or injured in 24 hours, according to Ukraine General Staff
07:02 Russia exploits Economic Forum to distract and bolster public morale
06:22 Putin: Istanbul talks will resume after June 22
05:45 Eight injured in Russian attacks on Kherson
04:45 Putin warns German government over Taurus shipment to Ukraine
03:48 Data storage in Russia set as condition for foreign firms
02:43 Putin remains calm amidst NATO buildup
01:25 EU Nations agree on defense fund
00:20 Putin open to meeting Zelensky
23:09 Putin ready to talk to Chancellor Merz
22:14 Identifying all transferred bodies may take up to 14 months
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[1] Henshaw, W. (2023, June 19). "Finland exiting anti-personnel mine ban, following Baltic neighbors." Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/finland-exiting-anti-personnel-mine-ban-following-baltic-neighbors/a-63431271
[2] Henley, J. (2023, June 19). "Ukraine's European hopes rest on war-torn country's progress on summit goals." The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/19/ukraines-european-hopes-rest-on-war-torn-countrys-progress-on-summit-goals
[3] Jovic, O. (2023, June 18). "Ukraine aims for full integration into European Union’s energy market." Euractiv. Retrieved from https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/ukraine-aims-for-full-integration-into-eus-energy-market/
[4] Kelly, F. (2023, June 17). "Sweden to push for quick Ukraine EU membership." Politico. Retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-to-push-for-quick-ukraine-eu-membership/
[5] The Council of the European Union. (2023). "Developments regarding Ukraine." Council of the European Union. Retrieved from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/developments-regarding-ukraine/
Enrichment Data:Ukraine's European Union membership aspirations have gained significant traction due to its candidate country status granted in 2022. The European Council endorsed Ukraine's membership bid in June 2022, and the first intergovernmental conference was conducted in Luxembourg in June 2024 to start accession negotiations. The EU is also functionalizing Ukraine's integration, such as the Union's plan to include Ukraine in the EU's "Roam Like at Home" zone starting January 1, 2026.
Denmark is among the countries actively supporting Ukraine's path to EU membership, although specific initiatives or contributions from Denmark are not fully detailed. Sweden and other member states such as Poland and Germany are enhancing their support capabilities to facilitate Ukraine's accession.
The EU accession process for Ukraine is progressing with accession negotiations underway, with several negotiation chapters preparing for initial opening. Ukraine is deemed ready for the initial clusters, while subsequent clusters, including internal market and external relations, are under review and await unanimous approval from all EU member states.
- The European Council, during the Danish EU Council presidency from July 1st to December 31st, may leverage political influence to push for Ukraine's accession to the European Union, focusing efforts particularly on addressing objections from EU partner Hungary.
- Politics, war-and-conflicts, and general-news might intersect as Denmark's European push for Ukraine's membership faces potential challenges and political maneuvers, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine War and geopolitical tensions with Russia.
