Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brussels, June 18, 2026

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Russia’s “Hybrid War” Beyond Ukraine

Thursday’s Coverage: Moscow’s Oil Refinery On Fire After Kyiv’s Drone Strikes

UPDATE 0820 GMT:

Officials suspect Russian intelligence services are behind the fatal shooting of exiled activist and artist Robert Kuzovkov in eastern Poland on Monday.

A 36-year-old with a Georgian passport and alleged links to organized crime has been arrested.

Kuzovkov painted unflattering caricatures of Vladimir Putin and high-ranking Russian officials, including one of Putin cradled in the arms of Joseph Stalin.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the killing appears to be a political assassination, possibly ordered by Russia.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: European supporters of Ukraine have hailed “a new momentum” for Kyiv against Russia’s invasion.

As he and European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Council President António Costa spoke of “a historic week” with formal accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova underway.

“The EU, the US, and our partners from Canada, Japan, the UK – all of us – are working together to continue to support Ukraine,” he said.

Von der Leyen said Ukraine “deserves it, because you have been working so hard to move forward with the necessary reforms”. She said “the tide is turning,” as “Ukraine is holding the line, even partially regaining its territory”, while Russia is struggling with a “suffering” and growing digital censorship.

Zelensky responded that it is “a really great moment for Ukraine”.

He followed up at the summit:

Military Aid for Ukraine

After meetings of NATO Defense Ministers and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Kyiv’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said allies pledged $4 billion in aid, primarily consisting of air defense missiles, drones, and artillery.

Fedorov said almost $1 billion will be directed through the PURL program, in which NATO members buy US arms, to provide Ukraine with interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Germany, Norway, Netherlands, and Sweden are suppoorting the bulk of the assistance.

Allies also pledged more than $1 billion in drones.

Earlier in the day, the UK announced provision of 150,000 drones and more than 350 air defense missiles and ground-based radar systems under a new military aid package worth £752 million ($1 billion). The Netherlands announced an additional €500 million, including €250 million ($287 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s drone capabilities.

Norway, Denmark, Spain, Lithuania, and Luxembourg committed a total of $540 million for long-range artillery ammunition.

EU Seeks Line of Communication with Russia While Extending Sanctions

EU officials said the bloc has reached out to Russia to open a line of communication. However, several leaders said there was no point in rushing into talks with Russia. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs summarized:

First of ⁠all, there has to be someone on the other side willing for peace. Unfortunately no one wants peace on that side….There is no point for contact if the ​other party doesn’t want [peace].

EU leaders agreed ⁠to ⁠renew sanctions ​against Russia for another ⁠12 months, a ​spokesperson ‌confirmed.

Previously, the 27 members had only agreed on six-month extensions.