Ukraine updates: Germany's Pistorius arrives in Kyiv

• German Defense Minister in Kyiv for military aid talks
• US top diplomat reaffirms desire for 'constructive engagement' with Russia to end fighting
• June 12 is Russia Day holiday which marks the 1990 declaration of sovereignty

Below you can read the main developments from Russia's war in Ukrainefrom Thursday, June 12, 2025:

06/12/2025June 12, 2025

Rubio calls for peace, expresses support on Russia Day

US State Secretary Marco Rubio has spoken of the desire for more dialogue seeking an end to the war in Ukraine.

Rubio said he wanted to "reaffirm the United States' desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine."

The US' top diplomat made the comments to mark Russia Day — in remembrance of the 1990 declaration of sovereignty that came over a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

"It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries," Rubio added.

"The United States remains committed to supporting then Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future," Rubio said.

While no peace agreement has been reached between Russia and Ukraine there have been exchanges of prisoners of war and the repatriation of dead soldiers.

06/12/2025June 12, 2025

Germany's Pistorius in Kyiv for military aid talks

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv to discuss continued military support for Ukraine as Russia's full-scale invasion continues.

German press agency DPA reported that the talks with Ukrainian officials would center around further military aid from Berlin under the new government.

"We are doing everything we can to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself and get into a position where Russia is prepared to enter into serious negotiations," Pistorius — the only minister from the previous coalition government to keep his role — said ahead of his departure.

Pistorius condemned Russia's aerial bombardment of Ukraine that has of late involved an ever-increasing amount of drones and missiles.

Pistorius said that it was an indication that Moscow had no interest in reaching a peaceful end and was instead continuing to use force.

The defense minister said his visit highlighted the commitment of Germany's new administration to continue support for Ukraine.

After the US, Germany is the largest military backer of Ukraine and recently removed range restrictions on weapons it was providing.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in May that this was so that Ukraine could defend itself from Russia's continued invasion and strike military targets inside Russian territory.

06/12/2025June 12, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has traveled to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian counterparts about continued military aid from Berlin.

And as Moscow marks Russia Day, US State Secretary Marco Rubio has reaffirmed calls for dialogue seeking an end to the fighting.

Stay with DW for real-time news, analysis, and analysis from our correspondents on the ground as we follow Russia's war in Ukraine.