Ukraine War Sees Zelenskyy Urge Trump to Recognize Russian Defensive Position at G7
In the Ukraine war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the G7 summit hoping to impress upon United States leader Donald Trump that Ukraine's fortunes have improved as he pushes for greater international support. [1]
Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit
Zelenskyy met with Trump and other G7 leaders at the Evian-les-Bains summit on June 16, 2026, to push for greater international support and renewed momentum in stalled negotiations. [1] He was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the Jun 15 to Jun 17 gathering in the lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains. [1] Zelenskyy took part in the first session of the day dedicated to "Building peace in Ukraine" and may talk separately with Trump. [1] He was also due to meet other G7 leaders individually. [1] With negotiations stalled, Zelenskyy is pushing for renewed momentum and a greater European role while seeking to highlight Ukraine's improved position through recent drone strikes that have placed Russia on the defensive. [1] European diplomats hope to convince Trump that previous US positions on possible terms of a deal were overly favourable towards Moscow, particularly now that Ukraine's drone incursions have put Russia on the defensive. [1]
Trump's Outlook on Ukraine Negotiations
Trump, fresh from a preliminary deal to end the US-Iran conflict, stated that both Zelenskyy and Putin had signaled willingness to strike a deal following a recent conversation. [1] US President Donald Trump, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy take part in a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, central-eastern France, on Jun 16, 2026. [1] Trump arrived in France on Monday, buoyed by concluding a preliminary deal to end the conflict with Iran, with a formal signing targeted for Friday. [1] Trump said he would now turn to the Ukraine conflict, saying both Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin had signalled they were willing to strike a deal. [1] "We had a very good conversation yesterday with President Zelenskyy and President Putin, and I think maybe we can do something there. I really do. I think they're both open to it," he said. [1] US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) flanked by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (second to left) and France's President Emmanuel Macron, prior to a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, central-eastern France on Jun 16, 2026. [1] French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk on the day of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Jun 16, 2026. [1]
Zelenskyy meets with G7 leaders at the Evian-les-Bains summit in France on June 16 2026. — Source: ukrainskapravda
European Efforts to Influence US Policy
European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, are urging Trump that prior US positions on peace terms were too favorable to Moscow, citing Ukraine's gains and Russia's weakened war economy. [1] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Monday that Ukraine was gaining ground and hitting targets deep inside Russia, whose "war economy has never been as weak". [1] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as other G7 leaders speak with each other during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Jun 16, 2026. [1] European leaders were also set to warn Trump that a superficial interim deal with Iran risks entrenching Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. [1] Macron said the priority was to ensure there is a "solid, serious agreement that is finalised". [1] He said Tuesday's working lunch would focus on the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including a possible Franco-British-led maritime mission. [1]
Daily Russian Combat Losses
Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russia lost 1,230 soldiers and 417 vehicles and fuel tankers in the past day, contributing to total estimated Russian losses of approximately 1,385,420 personnel since February 2022. [2] Russia has lost 1,230 soldiers killed and wounded and 417 vehicles and fuel tankers over the past day. [2] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 16 June 2026 are estimated to be as follows: approximately 1,385,420 (+1,230) military personnel, 12,026 (+1) tanks, 24,768 (+5) armoured combat vehicles, 44,118 (+36) artillery systems, 1,872 (+2) multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,427 (+7) air defence systems, 436 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft, 353 (+0) helicopters, 1,667 (+3) ground robotic systems, 353,541 (+2,062) operational-tactical UAVs, 4,783 (+50) cruise missiles, 33 (+0) ships/boats, 2 (+0) submarines, 107,508 (+417) vehicles and fuel tankers, 4,300 (+4) special vehicles and other equipment. [2] The information is being confirmed. [2]
Brazilian resident from Sinop killed in Ukraine war after Russian drone strike. — Source: gdelt
Casualties Among Foreign Fighters
Zelenskyy offered to meet Putin at the G7 but said the Russian leader was not ready for peace talks, while a Brazilian resident fighting for Ukraine was killed in a Russian drone attack in Zaporizhzhya. [1] [3] O morador de Sinop, Fernando Pereira Lisboa, de 40 anos, morreu durante o conflito entre a Ucrânia e a Rússia após ser atingido em um ataque de drone na região de Zaporizhzhya, no sudeste da Ucrânia. [3] Só Notícias apurou que o caso ocorreu na sexta-feira à noite. [3] Segundo informações repassadas pela irmã da vítima à reportagem, Fernando estava em missão quando ele e outros dois soldados foram atacados por um drone. [3] No sábado, o corpo foi recolhido e identificado pelas autoridades militares. [3] A família recebeu a confirmação da morte na tarde do mesmo dia. [3] Ainda conforme os familiares, um dos soldados que estava com Fernando ficou ferido no ataque, enquanto não há informações sobre o estado do terceiro integrante do grupo. [3] Fernando estava na Ucrânia desde março deste ano. [3] Ele morava no bairro Maria Carolina em Sinop, era solteiro e vivia com a mãe antes de viajar para o país europeu. [3] De acordo com a irmã, ele sempre demonstrou interesse por assuntos militares e sonhava em participar de conflitos armados em defesa de uma nação. [3] “Ele sempre foi apaixonado por guerra e queria lutar por uma nação que precisasse dele”, relatou a irmã. [3] A família informou ainda que Fernando já estudava a possibilidade de ir para a Ucrânia desde novembro do ano passado. [3] Toda a viagem e permanência no país teriam sido custeadas pelo governo ucraniano, sem qualquer pedido de ajuda financeira a terceiros. [3] Em Sinop, Fernando trabalhou em indústrias e também como ajudante de obras. [3] Familiares o descrevem como uma pessoa de fácil amizade e bastante querida entre amigos e conhecidos. [3] Após a divulgação da morte, golpistas passaram a espalhar informações falsas nas redes sociais sobre supostas arrecadações para custear o translado do corpo. [3] A família negou qualquer campanha financeira. [3] Segundo os familiares, os procedimentos fúnebres serão realizados na própria Ucrânia. [3] Em razão das dificuldades logísticas e dos custos de translado em meio ao conflito, o corpo não será enviado ao Brasil. [3] A informação repassada à família é de que, após o término da guerra, as cinzas deverão ser encaminhadas ao Brasil pelas autoridades ucranianas. [3]
Broader Diplomatic Context
Leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt were due to attend Tuesday's talks. [1] They were not expected to get into detailed discussions on Iran's nuclear programme, but to outline their expectations, diplomats said. [1] The interim deal should open a 60-day window for complex technical negotiations that would include the fate of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the lifting of international sanctions. [1] However, European allies fear an inexperienced US negotiating team may fail to secure a robust nuclear agreement or address Iran’s ballistic missile programme in the next phase, potentially creating a prolonged standoff. [1] France, Britain and Germany want a role in shaping the coming talks after being sidelined in recent months. [1] The three countries first engaged Iran on its nuclear programme in 2003 and later worked with then-US president Barack Obama to secure a 2015 deal in exchange for sanctions relief. [1] Trump is scornful of that accord, which he pulled the US out of during his first presidency. [1] Trump said the strait would be "completely open" on Friday. [1]
What to watch next: Trump said he would now turn to the Ukraine conflict after the Iran deal, with both Zelenskyy and Putin signalling they were willing to strike a deal, while European leaders continue pressing for terms that reflect Ukraine gaining ground. [1]
