Yesterday, June 20, Romania decided to transfer the Patriot system to Ukraine. Meanwhile, EU ambassadors agreed on new sanctions against Russia.
RBC-Ukraine has collected the main news for June 20.
Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest
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Romania decides to transfer Patriot system to Ukraine
The Supreme Defense Council of Romania has decided to transfer one Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.
"Given the significant deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine as a result of Russia's constant and massive attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially energy infrastructure, and the regional consequences of this situation, in particular for Romania's security, in close coordination with allies, the members of the Council decided to donate the Patriot system to Ukraine," the Defense Council says in a statement.
The donation will be made on the condition that Romania continues negotiations with allies, especially the United States, to obtain a similar or equivalent air defense system.
EU ambassadors agree on 14th package of sanctions against Russia
EU ambassadors have agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia.
"EU Ambassadors just agreed on a powerful and substantial 14th package of sanctions in reaction to the Russian aggression against Ukraine," the statement said.
The new package includes new targeted measures and maximizes the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes.
Ukraine may receive air defense systems from South Korea
South Korea may reconsider its position on arms supplies to Ukraine and could potentially transfer air defense systems to Kyiv.
National Security Advisor to the President of South Korea, Chan Ho-jin, announced plans to reconsider the country's position on arms supplies to Ukraine.
The reason for this was the agreement signed between Russia and North Korea. It stipulates a mutual obligation to provide immediate military assistance if one of the countries is attacked.
A presidential spokesperson said that South Korea would maintain strategic ambiguity about the types of weapons that could be supplied to Ukraine.
"Specific measures will be revealed later, and it will be interesting to see how Russia responds, rather than revealing our plans in advance," the official said.
All Alliance members approve: Dutch Prime Minister to be next NATO Secretary General
All members of the North Atlantic Alliance have agreed that the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, will become the next NATO Secretary General.
Hungary and Slovakia approved Rutte's candidacy on Tuesday, and today Romania gave the green light. Its president, Klaus Iohannis, withdrew his candidacy, leaving Rutte with no competitors.
Politico says that Rutte will replace the current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg only on October 2, which is described as a critical moment. This timing precedes the US elections by a month, which will determine the fate of the military alliance.
US to reprioritize delivery of air defense to Ukraine, first shipments expected in summer
The United States has decided to reprioritize the nearest sales of Patriot and NASAM missiles to other countries in favor of Ukraine.
According to John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the US National Security Council, it is a difficult but necessary decision to redirect planned deliveries of foreign military goods to Ukraine in the near future.
Politico's Lara Seligman adds that the National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator was talking about Patriot and NASAM missiles. The first deliveries are expected to begin this summer.
Ukraine outlines expectations from NATO Summit in Washington
It is expected that the decisions of the allies at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington will consolidate the irreversibility of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic course.
"Our expectations in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration remain unchanged: membership. Formulations matter, although, of course, as a country fighting for its survival for the third year in a row, we prioritize concrete actions. That is why, together with our allies, we are preparing a package of decisions for the NATO Summit in Washington that will strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities," said Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna.
She also expressed gratitude to those allies who recognize the danger of any "verbal ambiguities regarding Ukraine's integration."
First F-16s provided to Ukraine will protect Kharkiv - The Guardian
The first F-16s are likely to arrive in Ukraine in the summer. The fighter jets are expected to defend Kharkiv from Russian strikes.
The Guardian quoted the commander of the Dutch Air Force, General Arnoud Stallmann, who expects the first F-16 fighters to take to the skies over Ukraine this summer.
"Around this summertime, it is all lining up," he says.
According to The Guardian, the Netherlands has launched a program to train Ukrainian instructors in aircraft maintenance. The general notes that it is important to train not only pilots but also engineers who will be responsible for maintaining the aircraft in the future.
Ukraine has been waiting for months to start using the fighter jets and hopes that their introduction will change the dynamics of the war and force Russia to suspend its attacks in the border regions. Experts believe that the Ukrainian military will be able to use the F-16 against Russian aircraft that launch guided bombs from a distance of 50 to 70 kilometers.
Ukraine's drones attack Russian oil depots in Tambov region and Adygea Republic, sources
Drones of the Security Service of Ukraine successfully attacked Russian oil depots in the Tambov region and the Republic of Adygea.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, SSU drones continue to reduce Russian economic and military potential to wage war against Ukraine. At night, the following facilities were hit:
- the fuel and oils warehouse of Tambovnefteprodukt JSC;
- the Enemskaya and LUKOIL-Yugnefteprodukt oil depots.
These facilities processed and stored raw materials and finished products. The products, in turn, were used by the Russian military.