Ukraine War, Day 1,588: Zelensky – Russia’s 15 Deadlines to Seize Donetsk

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus, Kyiv, June 29, 2026

Monday’s Coverage: Putin Acknowledges Gasoline Shortages Across Russia

A day after Vladimir Putin restated the Kremlin’s demand to seize all of the Donbas — the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — Zelensky said, “Russia’s political leadership remains obsessed”.

Already this year, the Russians have again pushed back the date for the capture of the Donetsk region. At first, they had set a deadline of March 31 of this year, then September 1, and now the deadline is December 31.

If Russia does not end its war, they will have to move this deadline again as well. If Putin wants to sacrifice another million of his soldiers to keep smashing against this wall, then the million Russians who have not yet been mobilized into the Russian army and are arguing in gas lines should think about what awaits them next.

Drone and Missile Talks with Denmark and France

Zelensky conferred with Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus on Monday about a drone cooperation agreement and efforts to strengthen anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

Zelensky said after the discussion in Kyiv that the “Drone Deal” is “almost ready”: “I hope that in the near future, we will have the opportunity to sign this document.”

At a press conference with Bruus, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Kyiv is making “progress” in negotiations with France on licensing to produce long-range weapons, including SCALP missiles.

I can say that during the visit of our President to France, there was a very good conversation with [French President Emmanuel] Macron about the possibility of sharing licenses for SCALP missiles to our country.

Now the conversation continues with both the government and the company in this regard, all the details are being clarified.

But Fedorov noted, “It is a difficult process regarding intellectual property…[with] a certain bureaucracy in this regard.”