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 assist.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians,” stated Zelenskyy. “I thank everybody who defends and helps it.”
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s assist for Ukraine.
“On this battle for survival, it’s not solely the future of Ukraine that’s at stake. It’s Europe’s future,” she wrote in a social media submit.
On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kyiv.We’re in Kyiv at present, as a result of Ukraine is Europe.On this battle for survival, it’s not 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 navy assist, 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 permitted a sixteenth package deal of sanctions towards Russia.
Nonetheless, Hungary, whose chief Viktor Orban has remained near Russian President Vladimir Putin and has persistently difficult EU efforts to assist Ukraine, stated it won’t again additional sanctions.
International Minister Peter Szijjarto additionally stated his nation won’t comply with a lift in EU navy support.
Competing resolutions
The brand new confidence in Budapest is the results of US President Donald Trump’s push to pressure 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 by way of the media, with the US chief accusing Kyiv of beginning the struggle and questioning the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy.
One other showdown is anticipated 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 right away 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 for example his self-appointed position as a world dealmaker, faces resistance on each side.
Russia stated on Monday that the fast finish to the struggle the UK is attempting to forge is “unacceptable”.
A ceasefire with out a long-term settlement “is the trail to a swift resumption of combating and a resumption of the battle with much more severe penalties, together with penalties for Russian-US relations,” Moscow’s Deputy International Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated, based on the state-run RIA Novosti information company.
In the meantime, Ukraine signalled on Sunday that the break with the US could be easing.
Kyiv stated a contentious proposal that might hand Washington $500bn value of earnings from Ukrainian uncommon minerals has now been taken off the desk, and that talks on a special deal are progressing.
Zelenskyy informed a discussion board in Kyiv that he would resign his submit if that meant peace was achieved.
“When you want me to depart this chair, I’m prepared to do this, and I can also change it for NATO membership for Ukraine,” he stated.