Kyiv’s EU leader Moscow has refused Trump’s request for a Swift ceasefire and is competing for the scheduled UN vote.
European Union and Canadian leaders gathered in Ukraine for a show of unity, as Kiev celebrates the third anniversary of Russian invasion.
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among other senior officials, welcoming his country’s “heroes.” However, amid growing uncertainty over Washington’s support, there were no representatives from the US.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism for the Ukrainians,” Zelensky said. “Thank you to everyone who has kept it and supported it.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly supported the EU for Ukraine.
“In this fight for survival, it’s not just Ukraine’s fate that is at stake. It’s the fate of Europe,” she wrote in a social media post.
On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kiev. Ukraine is in Europe, so I’m in Kiev today.
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu)2025-02-24T05:18:04.584z
Amid the threatened void in US military support, the 27 bloc leaders are scheduled to meet for a special summit on March 6 to “make decisions” on the defense of Ukraine and Europe.
On Monday, a meeting of EU foreign ministers reportedly approved the 16th sanctions package against Russia.
However, Hungary, whose leader, Victor Orban, remains close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said it would not support further sanctions, as it has continued to complicate the EU’s efforts to support Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Peter Syjart also said his country would not agree to a boost to EU military aid.
Conflicting solutions
The new confidence in Budapest is the result of President Donald Trump’s push to force Ukraine to agree to a peace deal with Russia.
US officials met their Russian counterparts last week, but Trump and Zelensky embarked on bitter nausea through the media, and US leaders questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president as Kiev launched a war. I accused him of doing so.
Another showdown is expected at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday as the Washington and Kiev tables compete for resolutions before the general assembly.
The Ukrainian resolution, supported by European allies, calls for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, emphasizing Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US proposal aims to quickly end the war without explicitly mentioning the Moscow attack.
“Unacceptable”
But Trump’s peace plan appears to be designed to explain his self-appointed role as a global deal maker, but faces resistance on both sides.
Russia said Monday that the swift end of the war Britain is trying to forge is “unacceptable.”
Moscow’s Deputy Minister Sergei Riabav said, “The long-term unreconciliation ceasefire is “the road to a rapid resumption of combat and a resumption of conflict with more serious consequences,” state-run RIA Novosti News Agency.
Meanwhile, Ukraine on Sunday signaled that its break with the US may be eased.
Kiev said a controversial proposal to hand over $500 million worth of profits from Ukraine’s rare minerals to Washington is now being taken from the table, and discussions about the different deals have progressed.
Zelenskyy told Kyiv’s forum that he would resign from his post if it meant that peace was achieved.
“If I need to leave this chair, I’m ready to do it and I can also trade it for a NATO membership in Ukraine,” he said.
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