Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – Ukraine marks its darkest anniversary on Monday War against Russian invasionthe country’s military Under serious pressure About the battlefield and the US President Donald Trump administration Apparently they are accepting the Kremlin With a reversal of American policy.
The three-year milestone attracted more than a dozen Western leaders to Kiev for memorial events, with a prominent show of support. They warned of the broader implications of war on global security, and vowed to continue to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars as uncertainty deepens its commitment to aiding the US. Washington took the opportunity to send no senior officials.
Hours after observing the anniversary, Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept Ukrainian European peacekeeping forces as part of a potential deal to end the war. Separately, Putin suggested that European countries could be part of the settlement, but he also said he had not discussed the detailed resolution of the conflict with Trump.
The fourth year of combat could be crucial as Trump uses his return to office to report on peace.
“Donators around the world are looking very carefully to see if there is immunity in the case of breaching international boundaries, invading neighbors, or true deterrence,” says the European Commission’s Ursula von del. – Leyen warned in Kiev.
Some observers say Russia can succeed in Ukraine It will ease China’s ambitions. Just as Moscow claims that Ukraine is justly a Russian territory, China has in itself argued for Taiwan’s autonomous island. north korea and Iran He also supported Russia’s war efforts.
in Unwelcome Cascade of Development For Kiev, Trump has recently been called a dictator called Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelenki, suggesting that Ukraine was blamed on the war, ending Putin’s three years of diplomatic isolation in the United States. US authorities also showed Ukraine that their hopes to join NATO are unlikely to come true, and that they would not reclaim the land occupied by the Russian army.
On the battlefield, President Putin’s army is steadily progressing, but Ukraine is tackling the shortage of its troops and weapons.
As Washington changes courses, alarm bells ring in Europe
Changes in Washington’s policy have sparked alarm bells in Europe, with governments fearing they will be sidelined by the US in their efforts to secure a peace deal. They are contemplating how to pick up the loose cut of US aid for Ukraine. Change is strained with transatlantic relations.
Council of Europe President Antonio Costa announced on Sunday that he will convene Emergency Summit Of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on March 6, Ukraine is at the top of the agenda.
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron Both visit Washington this week.
The EU foreign minister approved new sanctions against Russia on Monday. The measure will target the so-called “shadow fleets” of Russian so-called “shadow fleets” vessels and use it to restrict oil and gas transport, or to carry stolen Ukrainian grains. The EU said 74 ships have been added to the Shadow Fleet list.
The assets were frozen and travel bans were imposed on 83 staff and “entities.” It is usually a government agency, bank or business.
The UK has also imposed new sanctions targeting 107 businesses and individuals, which it says is the biggest package targeting Russian war machinery since the early days of the 2022 conflict. The measure is designed to disrupt the Kremlin’s military supply chain.
Priority said that Ukrainian voices “must be at the heart of their willingness for peace,” and that Trump’s intervention “has changed the global conversation” and “created opportunities.”
“Russia doesn’t hold all the cards in this war,” he said.
I’ll leave from Sunday’s victory in German electionsconservative leader Friedrich Merz (a solid supporter of Ukraine), was posted on X. “More than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength.”
“For just peace, countries under attack must be part of peace negotiations,” he wrote.
Diplomacy rises after recording Russian drone attacks
On Sunday, Russia launched its biggest single drone attack, smashing Ukraine with 267 drones.
Kahakaras, the top EU diplomat, argued that the peace agreement cannot be sealed unless the US is involved in Ukraine or Europe.
“I can talk about anything with President Putin. But when it comes to Europe and Ukraine, Ukraine and Europe must agree to this deal,” Karas told reporters in Brussels, where she was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the EU. led the meeting.
Crows is scheduled to travel to Washington on Tuesday for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Kaja Karas, head of foreign policy for the European Union, will speak to the media as he arrives at the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Council of Europe building in Brussels on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council US-sponsored resolution has been approved It called for a quick end to the Ukrainian war, but did not mention the Russian attack. Earlier on Monday, the UN General Assembly rejected the resolution. This was only passed after the conflict was revised to state that it was the result of a “full invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.”
Washington and Moscow are approaching
Trump said he thought Putin would not oppose Ukrainian European peacekeeping forces as part of a potential deal to end the war.
“Yeah, he’ll accept that,” Trump said. He told White House reporters. “I asked him that question. If we were to make this deal, he wasn’t looking for more war.”
In a statement broadcast on state television, Putin said he had not discussed in detail with Trump about ending the war, and when he met in Saudi Arabia last week, neither did the Russian and American negotiation teams. Ta.
He said Russia has not ruled out European countries participating in the settlement.
Putin previously said that Ukrainian European or US troops will become a major security issue for Russia. He has never publicly shown to accept the Western Army of Ukraine. Several Russian authorities say it will be a red line for Moscow.
reference US interest in Ukraine’s rare earth mineralsPutin said he was interested in exploring similar opportunities as Trump, saying that Russia “has significantly more of this kind of resource than Ukraine.”
Russian and American officials discussed improving economic relations Their meeting in Saudi Arabiaand if US companies start working in Russia, it will be “profits and substantial,” Putin said, suggesting that cooperation could be in the rare earth minerals, aluminum and energy sectors. There is.
Putin also said he “is not against” Trump. Ideas to reduce defense spending Half of them are “ready to discuss this point.”
“I think that’s a good idea. The US cuts by 50%, cuts by 50%, then China will join if that’s what they want,” Putin said.
Russia has significantly increased its defence spending since its invasion of Ukraine, and its economy has effectively circumvented its foothold of war. Many Russians have become accustomed to higher salaries as the labor shortage caused by the war, as it means that the Russian military and employers compete to hire them.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday Preparing for face-to-face meetings It was ongoing between Trump and Putin.
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Associated Press writer Lorne Cook at Brussels, Geir Moulson of Berlin and Emma Burrows of London contributed to the report.
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