**Ukraine-Russia Peace Process in Jeopardy: Expert Weighs In**
The Ukraine-Russia peace process has been a cornerstone of international diplomacy for years, but it’s facing unprecedented challenges. The recent failed effort by US President Donald Trump to broker a deal has left many wondering if the situation will ever improve.
Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul spoke with Chris York from the Kyiv Independent about the current state of affairs. According to McFaul, “When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get.” This sentiment is echoed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, tensions are running high between Ukraine and Russia. US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg denied allegations that he agreed to work on halting Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia, contradicting claims made by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
**Russian Aggression Continues**
Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine remains a significant concern. According to the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), Russian forces have been spotted in various parts of the country, including the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A small reconnaissance group reportedly managed to briefly enter the area before being eliminated by Ukrainian forces.
Furthermore, Russia has the capacity to launch as many as 500 Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones at Ukraine in a single attack, but doing so on a daily basis is not possible, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.
**New Sanctions and Aid Packages**
The US Congress has introduced new sanctions against Russia and its trading partners supporting its war machine. This move comes as Ukraine’s Defense Ministry works to verify the current status of all elements in agreed aid packages, requesting a phone call with US defense officials for further clarification.
Grammarly, a company with Ukrainian roots, announced plans to acquire AI email writing app Superhuman as part of its expansion into an AI productivity platform.
**War Rages On**
The war between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 114 Shahed-type and decoy drones overnight from multiple directions, as well as four S-300 missiles. Air defenses shot down 40 drones, while 39 disappeared from radars or were intercepted by electronic warfare.
Russian forces likely executed another Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW), Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on July 1, referring to a recent video that appears to show the captive tied to a motorcycle and dragged along a road.
**Expert Analysis**
The situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly dire. The failed US peace effort has left many wondering if the international community will ever come together to resolve this crisis. As McFaul emphasized, “When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get.”
In conclusion, the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to rage on, with no clear end in sight. The international community must work together to find a solution to this crisis.
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