World leaders gathered in France for the G7 summit, rallying behind Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to intensify sanctions on Russia, aiming to "choke off" its revenue, and pledged hundreds of millions of pounds in energy support for Ukraine, including enriched uranium for its nuclear plants.
Macron Calls for US Pressure on Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit host, said ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump that he wanted the US to declare: "We are with you, we will continue to support Ukraine, and we will increase the pressure on Russia to achieve a meaningful negotiation." Macron emphasized that any negotiation should involve Ukraine, Russia, Europeans, and Americans.
Germany Hopes for Diplomatic Window
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope that "for the first time, a window can open for diplomacy" to end the war, according to Reuters. He intended to discuss this further with Trump.
Trump Sees Openness from Both Sides
US President Donald Trump, who arrived at the summit on Monday, said: "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."
Russian Bomber Crash in Siberia
A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, used to attack Ukraine, crashed on Monday in Siberia's Irkutsk region during a training flight, the Russian defence ministry said. All four crew members ejected safely. These bombers are typically used to fire cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Condemns Drone Attack on Monastery
President Zelenskyy reported that two Russian drones "deliberately" targeted Kyiv's monastery quarter in a mass overnight barrage, setting the Unesco-listed Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra site ablaze and killing 11 people across the country. He described the attack as "one of Russia's most serious crimes against Christian culture to date" and urged G7 leaders to take "decisive and substantive" action, calling for more pressure on the aggressor and enhanced air defence support, especially anti-ballistic capabilities.
Russia Denies Responsibility
Russia denied targeting the cathedral, claiming it was hit by a US-made Patriot air-defence missile. However, outside the Pechersk-Lavra complex on Monday morning, state security officers stood over the remains of two Shahed-Geran type drones, built in Iran and Russia and used extensively by Moscow's forces, contradicting the Russian claim.
Drone Strike Hits Kharkiv Zoo
In Monday's heavy Russian air raids, a drone struck the zoo in Kharkiv, killing 10 rabbits and injuring other animals, including an elephant. Prosecutors said the drone hit a vivarium housing hundreds of rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice. The elephant's adjacent enclosure was also damaged.
Russia Allows Sale of Substandard Fuel
Russia is reportedly forced to permit the sale of substandard fuel as Ukrainian attacks on oil infrastructure squeeze supplies. The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that refineries are now allowed to sell gasoline and diesel with sulphur levels about 15 times the maximum permitted in Europe, China, and India. The concessions also allow higher shares of aromatic hydrocarbons, toxic compounds linked to health issues.
On Monday, authorities in the Udmurtia region east of Moscow said temporary limits on gasoline at stations operated by Tatneft would be in force from 12 June, after a major refinery shut down completely due to drone strikes. In Sevastopol, Crimea, long lines of cars queued for fuel. Driver Alyona said: "How can it be solved, how? Only if the special military operation ends."
Drone Strike Kills Three in Bryansk
A Ukrainian drone strike killed three farm machine workers in the Russian border region of Bryansk, the region's acting governor said on Monday. Yegor Kovalchuk reported that the three were killed while working in a field in Pochepsky district near the border. There was no independent confirmation. Ukraine denies targeting civilians.
Ukraine Begins EU Membership Talks
Ukraine was due on Monday to officially begin European Union membership negotiations, a process requiring years of political reforms even as it fights the Russian invasion. Ukrainian deputy prime minister Taras Kachka, attending a conference in Luxembourg to open the talks, called it a "Rubicon" moment. "All Ukrainian society believes that joining the European Union is our dream." Moldova was also due to officially launch its membership talks.
