On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European leaders are displaying assist for Kyiv, whereas additionally expressing unease concerning the present state of the battle with President Donald Trump’s administration on the negotiating desk.
The winner of Germany’s election on Sunday – conservative chief Friedrich Merz – has been a staunch backer of Ukraine.
“Greater than ever, we should put Ukraine ready of energy,” Merz, whose victory was celebrated by Trump, posted to X on Monday. “For a good peace, the nation that’s below assault have to be a part of peace negotiations.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a few European leaders took concern with Kyiv being disregarded of talks between U.S. and Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia final week geared towards ending the struggle.
UKRAINE ENTERS FOURTH YEAR OF WAR WITH RUSSIA: ‘CLOSER TO THE BEGINNING THAN WE ARE TO THE END’
Friedrich Merz, left, chief of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), stands subsequent to Secretary Common Carsten Linnemann, proper, after he receives flowers on the CDU’s headquarters, in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Martin Meissner)
A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada had been in Ukraine’s capital on Monday to mark three years since Russian troops invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been amongst guests scheduled to attend anniversary occasions and focus on supporting Ukraine with Zelenskyy.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier – primarily the ceremonial head of state – mentioned “peace and freedom in Europe demand of us that we assist Ukraine resolutely.”
“Germany stands firmly beside Ukraine, with humanitarian support, with safety for refugees, with navy assist,” Steinmeier mentioned within the video message, elements of which had been aired on Ukrainian tv. “And we is not going to ease up so long as this unlawful struggle lasts.” Steinmeier reportedly deliberate to hitch a video summit Zelenskyy was holding Monday with leaders of supportive nations.
The anniversary comes amid escalating public tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy.
“I really like Ukraine, however Zelenskyy has accomplished a horrible job,” Trump mentioned Sunday.
Trump additionally dubbed the Ukrainian chief “a dictator with out elections,” following Zelenskyy’s accusation that Trump resides in a Russian-made “disinformation house.” In an interview with the Day by day Mail, Vice President JD Vance warned that “the thought that Zelenskyy is going to vary the president’s thoughts by badmouthing him in public media, everybody who is aware of the President will let you know that’s an atrocious option to cope with this administration.”
Trump’s former nationwide safety adviser John Bolton characterised Trump’s remarks as “shameful,” whereas former Vice President Mike Pence condemned the president for suggesting that Ukraine was at fault within the struggle. In the meantime, Zelenskyy talked about talking Sunday with Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Trump had a cellphone name with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Zelenskyy afterward, final week. Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv final Wednesday to fulfill with Zelenskyy.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, middle, arrives at a practice station on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
The European Union’s high diplomat insisted Monday that the U.S. can’t seal any peace deal to finish the struggle with Putin with out Ukraine or Europe being concerned.
EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas additionally highlighted what she claimed had been pro-Russian positions being taken up by the Trump administration.
“You possibly can focus on no matter you need with Putin. But when it involves Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe additionally need to comply with this deal,” Kallas advised reporters in Brussels, the place she is chairing a gathering of EU overseas ministers.
Kallas travels to Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When it comes to the U.S. message, she mentioned it was “clear that the Russian narrative is there very strongly represented.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof mentioned Monday that the previous couple of “turbulent weeks” surrounding the push to convey an finish to the struggle had introduced European nations “nose to nose with historical past.”
“At present marks the beginning of the fourth yr of the horrible struggle. Allow us to hope that it additionally marks the start of the top,” he mentioned.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb mentioned Europe wants “to clarify to the Russians and everybody else that there are some things which are utterly off the desk in these negotiations.”
“One is EU membership. It isn’t Russia who decides on EU membership, it’s the European Union who does that. Two is NATO. It isn’t Russia that decides on NATO membership. It’s the alliance itself,” he declared.
“We are going to see a European Ukraine. We are going to see finally Ukraine in NATO,” Stubb mentioned. “We’ve seen a unified European Union and hopefully a stronger trans-Atlantic alliance in the long term. And on a day like this, I feel it’s time to pave the best way for a plan for Ukrainian victory.”
Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, notably steered Sunday that Russia was “provoked” forward of the Ukraine invasion by growing talks of Kyiv joining NATO.
Czech President Petr Pavel mentioned through distant hyperlink that he has “little doubt that the last word aim of this aggression has at all times been to wipe Ukraine as we all know it off the map.”
Denmark’s Minister of Protection Troels Lund Poulsen arrives in Kyiv on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix/Ritzau Scanpix through AP)
“But the resilience of the Ukrainian folks has confirmed to be unbreakable,” Pavel advised the gathering of European leaders in Kyiv. “It deserves not solely our admiration, but additionally our full respect. All of us sincerely need peace in Ukraine and for its folks, however not a peace at any price.”
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, mentioned Russia doesn’t see any option to resume “dialogue with Europe” after the European Union adopted its sixteenth spherical of sanctions towards Russia on the third anniversary of the invasion.
The measures embrace focusing on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships that it exploits to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and fuel, or to hold stolen Ukrainian grain. The EU mentioned 74 vessels had been added to its record.
EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas mentioned the brand new sanctions additionally goal “those that assist the operation of unsafe oil tankers, videogame controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to avoid our sanctions, and propaganda retailers used to spout lies.” Asset freezes and journey bans had been imposed on 83 officers and entities. Greater than 2,300 officers and entities have been hit because the invasion started, Putin.
By including new sanctions, European nations seem like satisfied that the struggle ought to proceed, Peskov mentioned.
This stands in distinction with looking for methods to resolve “the battle round Ukraine which is what we’re at the moment doing with the Individuals,” Peskov mentioned.
Talking about Russia’s altering relationship with the U.S., Peskov welcomed “makes an attempt by Washington to actually perceive what was the foundation reason for this battle.”
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The U.N. Common Meeting, in the meantime, is predicted to vote Monday on dueling resolutions: Ukraine’s European-backed proposal demanding a direct withdrawal of Russian forces from the nation and a U.S. name for a swift finish to the struggle that by no means mentions Moscow’s aggression, the Related Press reported.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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