Ukraine War: Zelenskyy Urges Coalition of the Willing to Finance Armed Forces
In the Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the Coalition of the Willing to develop long-term financial instruments to fund Ukraine's armed forces, while the Ukrainian military reported Russian losses of 1,370 soldiers and 58 artillery systems in the past day. Zelenskyy told the European Council that Ukraine's fight provides a real contribution to European security and that reliable funding is essential for army maintenance, equipment, salaries and contracts.
Zelenskyy Calls for Sustained Funding of Ukrainian Forces
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a meeting of the European Council, has called on member states of the Coalition of the Willing to consider mechanisms that would ensure reliable funding for Ukraine's defence forces. [1] Zelenskyy said that through its fight against Russian aggression, Ukraine is making a real contribution to Europe's security and has gained unique experience in modern warfare but stressed that "there is no army without funding". [1] Zelenskyy noted that resources are needed for the routine maintenance of the military, equipment procurement, salary payments and the financing of military contracts. [1] He stated that "Many people ask what practical decisions the Coalition of the Willing can already deliver. Let us focus on financial stability as part of our security … We need to provide long-term security guarantees for Europe, and that means long-term guarantees – financial guarantees also – for security, for stability and for the Ukrainian army." [1] Zelenskyy added that "The Coalition of the Willing, and the European Union as the biggest part of it – of the Coalition – and your countries as members of it, can develop the special financial instruments needed to make this possible. Let's think about it. Let's do it. Let's prepare." [1]
Coalition of the Willing and EU Accession Context
The Coalition of the Willing brings together countries prepared to make various contributions to the long-term support of Ukraine in order to secure a lasting peace once the Russia-Ukraine war ends. [1] The UK and France play a leading role in the initiative. [1] Paris will host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 13-14 July. [1] Zelenskyy also urged the European Council to accelerate the use of funds released from the European Peace Facility and approve the opening of the remaining five clusters in Ukraine's EU accession talks in June. [1] However, it later emerged that Ukraine's hopes, and those of its supporters within the EU, for a swift opening of the remaining clusters were not reflected in the summit's conclusions. [1] Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar boasted that he had "struck out" swift accession from the EU summit decision. [1] However, it later became clear that opposition to this scenario extended well beyond Hungary alone. [1]
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attends a meeting of the European Council. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Ukrainian Strikes and Sybiha's Message to Putin
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stressed that Ukraine is carrying out long-range strikes against Russia using domestically produced weapons and has once again called on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to end the war. [2] Sybiha stated that "Putin did not just miscalculate when he attacked Ukraine. He made a historic mistake. With every month of him refusing to accept it and end this war, things will only get worse for him and his regime." [2] He added that "At any moment in time, Putin has the way out. He just needs to order his occupation forces to cease fire and stop the war." [2] Sybiha noted that Ukraine is not simply striking targets inside Russia. It is doing so using Ukrainian-made weapons. [2] Meanwhile, Putin's propaganda has consistently tried to convince Russians that Russia is fighting the entire "collective West" rather than Ukraine alone. [2] Sybiha said "This was meant to hide Putin's humiliation and explain why this war lasts longer than WWI. A war against a country he said did not exist and was meant to collapse years ago. But now it is especially telling that all 100% of the long-range sanctions on Moscow and other Russian regions are applied with… Ukrainian-made weapons." [2] The minister said it will be difficult for Russian propaganda to fit this reality into its false narratives. [2]
Daily Russian Combat Losses
Russia has lost 1,370 soldiers killed and wounded and 58 artillery systems over the past day. [3] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 19 June 2026 are estimated to be as follows: approximately 1,389,420 (+1,370) military personnel, 12,040 (+2) tanks, 24,783 (+4) armoured combat vehicles, 44,298 (+58) artillery systems, 1,881 (+4) multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,432 (+1) air defence systems, 436 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft, 353 (+0) helicopters, 1,688 (+4) ground robotic systems, 359,557 (+1,968) operational-tactical UAVs, 4,787 (+4) cruise missiles, 33 (+0) ships/boats, 2 (+0) submarines, 108,866 (+441) vehicles and fuel tankers, and 4,309 (+3) special vehicles and other equipment. [3] The information is being confirmed. [3]
Ukrainian report details Russian losses of 1,370 soldiers and 58 artillery systems in one day. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Lukashenko's Shifted Rhetoric on Belarusian Involvement
Advisor to the Office of the President Mykhailo Podolyak stated that Belarusian leader Lukashenko is unlikely to agree to direct involvement of Belarus in combat operations. [4] Podolyak pointed out that recent statements by Lukashenko differ substantially from his previous threats against Ukraine. [4] Instead, the Belarusian leader now emphasises that he does not plan to fight the Ukrainians. [4] Lukashenko stated that Belarus does not plan to enter the war against Ukraine and is trying to avoid direct escalation of the conflict. [4] He addressed Volodymyr Zelenskyy with assurances that Minsk does not pose a military threat to Ukraine. [4] Podolyak observed that Lukashenko understands the vulnerability of Belarus in the event of a direct conflict with Ukraine. [4] Podolyak said the territory of Belarus is much smaller and can be completely covered by fire, with the number of long-range strike assets so great that everything that needs to be destroyed in Belarus can be destroyed very quickly. [4] Podolyak also believes that Belarusian society has never supported a full-scale war in the same way as occurred in Russia. [4] If Lukashenko gets involved in the war against Ukraine, he will have huge problems similar to those in 2020. [4] Podolyak commented on statements about an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a bus with Belarusian children in the Bryansk region, calling such messages another example of Russian propaganda and an attempt to influence public opinion in Belarus. [4] Similar information campaigns no longer have a significant impact on the international community, as the world understands the principles of Russian propaganda well. [4] Lukashenko claimed that Russia was "misled" about the quick end of the war against Ukraine, which caused the conflict to drag on. [4] He asserted that at the beginning of hostilities in Moscow they counted on a quick victory, but reality turned out differently. [4] He also claims that the course of the war changed the Kremlin's original plans and affected its duration. [4]
Finnish President's Assessment of War Duration
Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that fighting in Ukraine could continue for another three to four months. [5] Stubb stated that he does not agree with views that Russia will attack NATO after the conflict ends. [5] He said Russia's goal is to unbalance Europe and European countries, and part of this hybrid operation is to make Europeans themselves believe in a Russian attack. [5] As president and commander-in-chief, he sees no evidence for this. [5] Stubb also expressed his view on what may follow in Moscow after the fighting ends. [5] He sees little chance that the political system will change significantly, for example in the event of a defeat. [5] Russia will remain under authoritarian rule. [5] He does not consider it likely that the Kremlin's international perception will change significantly, so they will not be able to break out of isolation and will therefore lag behind in the technological race. [5]
What to watch next: The next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is scheduled for 13-14 July in Paris to discuss long-term support for Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces continue long-range strikes with domestically produced weapons and the General Staff tracks daily Russian losses.
