EU leaders in Kyiv, Moscow rejects Trump’s push for swift ceasefire, competing UN votes scheduled.
Leaders from the European Union and Canada have gathered in Ukraine in a present of unity as Kyiv marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday hailed the “heroism” of his nation as he welcomed European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau amongst different senior officers. Nonetheless, there was no consultant from the USA, amid rising uncertainty over Washington’s help.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians,” mentioned Zelenskyy. “I thank everybody who defends and helps it.”
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s help for Ukraine.
“On this struggle for survival, it isn’t solely the future of Ukraine that’s at stake. It’s Europe’s future,” she wrote in a social media publish.
On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kyiv.We’re in Kyiv as we speak, as a result of Ukraine is Europe.On this struggle for survival, it isn’t solely the future of Ukraine that’s at stake.It’s Europe’s future.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu) 2025-02-24T05:18:04.584Z
Amid the threatened vacuum in US army help, the 27-member bloc’s leaders are scheduled to fulfill on March 6 for a particular summit “to take selections” on Ukraine and European defence.
On Monday, a gathering of EU overseas ministers reportedly accepted a sixteenth package deal of sanctions in opposition to Russia.
Nonetheless, Hungary, whose chief Viktor Orban has remained near Russian President Vladimir Putin and has persistently sophisticated EU efforts to help Ukraine, mentioned it won’t again additional sanctions.
International Minister Peter Szijjarto additionally mentioned his nation won’t comply with a lift in EU army help.
Competing resolutions
The brand new confidence in Budapest is the results of US President Donald Trump’s push to drive Ukraine to comply with a peace take care of Russia.
US officers met their Russian counterparts final week, whereas Trump and Zelenskyy have launched into a bitter spat through the media, with the US chief accusing Kyiv of beginning the struggle and questioning the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy.
One other showdown is predicted on the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday, as Washington and Kyiv desk competing resolutions earlier than the Basic Meeting.
Ukraine’s decision, backed by European allies, calls for a direct withdrawal of Russian forces whereas emphasising Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US proposal goals for a swift finish to the struggle with out explicitly mentioning Moscow’s aggression.
‘Unacceptable’
Nonetheless, Trump’s peace plan, which seems designed as an example his self-appointed function as a worldwide dealmaker, faces resistance on either side.
Russia mentioned on Monday that the fast finish to the struggle the UK is attempting to forge is “unacceptable”.
A ceasefire and not using a long-term settlement “is the trail to a swift resumption of combating and a resumption of the battle with much more critical penalties, together with penalties for Russian-US relations,” Moscow’s Deputy International Minister Sergey Ryabkov mentioned, in keeping with the state-run RIA Novosti information company.
In the meantime, Ukraine signalled on Sunday that the break with the US may be easing.
Kyiv mentioned a contentious proposal that will hand Washington $500bn value of income from Ukrainian uncommon minerals has now been taken off the desk, and that talks on a unique deal are progressing.
Zelenskyy instructed a discussion board in Kyiv that he would resign his publish if that meant peace was achieved.
“When you want me to depart this chair, I’m prepared to try this, and I can also alternate it for NATO membership for Ukraine,” he mentioned.
