Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is "holding his own" in the war against Russia, acknowledging significant casualties but believing Zelenskyy is performing well. Analysts observe that Ukraine is increasingly effective on the battlefield, though Russian attacks on cities persist. European allies intend to send a strong message of support to Ukraine at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized this commitment, proposing a strong financing pledge to Kyiv from European NATO allies. Merz asserted that Europe's support for Ukraine remains unwavering, sending a clear message to Russia. President Zelenskyy has directed Ukrainian intelligence and military to preemptively strike Russian facilities that support the war effort. Ukrainian drones have targeted energy infrastructure in Russian-held Crimea and central and southern Russia. A Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region resulted in the deaths of two mine disposal experts from Norwegian People’s Aid. Four other specialists were injured in the attack. In Russia, Maxim Kruglov, deputy leader of the opposition Yabloko party, was sentenced to seven years in prison for spreading "lies" about the Russian army, highlighting the suppression of dissent.