KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine on Monday marked the bleakest anniversary but of its battle in opposition to the Russia invasion, with the rustic’s forces underneath serious drive at the battlefield and U.S. President Donald Trump’s management it seems that embracing the Kremlin in a reversal of American coverage.The 3-year milestone drew greater than a dozen Western leaders to Kyiv for commemorative occasions in a conspicuous display of make stronger. They warned of the battle’s wider implications for international safety and vowed to stay offering billions of greenbacks in support to Ukraine as uncertainty deepens over the U.S. dedication to assist. Washington didn’t ship any senior professional to the instance.Hours after the anniversary observances, Trump mentioned he believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would settle for Eu peacekeepers in Ukraine as a part of a possible deal to finish the battle. One by one, Putin recommended that Eu nations may well be a part of a agreement, however he additionally mentioned that he had now not mentioned resolving the struggle intimately with Trump.The fourth 12 months of preventing may well be pivotal as Trump makes use of his go back to place of business to press for peace.
“The autocrats around the globe are gazing very in moderation whether or not there’s any impunity when you violate world borders or invade your neighbor, or if there may be true deterrence,” Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen warned in Kyiv.Some observers say Russian luck in Ukraine may just embolden China’s ambitions. Simply as Moscow claims that Ukraine is rightfully Russian territory, China claims the self-governing island of Taiwan as its personal. North Korea and Iran have additionally aided Russia’s battle effort.
Sweden’s Top Minister Ulf Kristersson, heart, arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Sweden’s Top Minister Ulf Kristersson, heart, arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
Norway’s Top Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer arrives in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Norway’s Top Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer arrives in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
Spain’s Top Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Spain’s Top Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
Denmark’s Top Minister Mette Frederiksen arrives in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Denmark’s Top Minister Mette Frederiksen arrives in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
In a cascade of unwelcome tendencies for Kyiv, Trump has in contemporary days known as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator, recommended Ukraine is responsible for the battle and ended Putin’s three-year diplomatic isolation through america. U.S. officers have additionally indicated to Ukraine that its hopes of becoming a member of NATO are not going to be learned and that it almost certainly gained’t get again the land that Russia’s military occupies, which quantities to almost 20% of the rustic.At the battlefield, Putin’s troops are making stable growth, whilst Ukraine grapples with shortages of troops and guns.Alarm bells sound in Europe as Washington adjustments route
The shift in Washington’s coverage has spark off alarm bells in Europe, the place governments worry being sidelined through the U.S. in efforts to safe a peace deal. They’re mulling how they may pick out up the slack of any reduce in U.S. support for Ukraine. The adjustments have strained transatlantic members of the family.Eu Council President Antonio Costa introduced Sunday that he would convene an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on March 6, with Ukraine on the best of the schedule.British Top Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are each visiting Washington this week.
Andriy Yermak, the pinnacle of Ukraine’s Presidential Place of business, heart, talks with Eu Council President Antonio Costa at a educate station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Andriy Yermak, the pinnacle of Ukraine’s Presidential Place of business, heart, talks with Eu Council President Antonio Costa at a educate station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, heart, arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)
Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, heart, arrives at a educate station at the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Efrem Lukatsky)Learn Extra
EU international ministers on Monday authorized a brand new raft of sanctions in opposition to Russia. The measures goal Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships that it makes use of to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gasoline, or to hold stolen Ukrainian grain. The EU mentioned 74 vessels had been added to its shadow fleet checklist.Asset freezes and commute bans had been imposed on 83 officers and “entities” — generally govt businesses, banks or firms.Britain, too, imposed new sanctions geared toward 107 companies and people in what it says is its greatest bundle concentrated on Russia’s battle system because the early days of the struggle in 2022. The measures are designed to disrupt the Kremlin’s army provide chains.
Starmer mentioned Ukrainian voices “will have to be on the center of the force for peace” and that Trump’s intervention had “modified the worldwide dialog” and “created a possibility.”“Russia does now not hang all of the playing cards on this battle,” he mentioned.Coming off a victory in Sunday’s German elections, conservative chief Friedrich Merz — additionally a staunch backer of Ukraine — posted on X: “Greater than ever, we will have to put Ukraine able of power.”
“For an excellent peace, the rustic this is underneath assault will have to be a part of peace negotiations,” he wrote.International relations ramps up after document Russian drone assault On Sunday, Russia introduced its greatest unmarried drone assault of the battle, pounding Ukraine with 267 drones.
The EU’s best diplomat, Kaja Kallas, insisted that the U.S. can’t seal any peace deal with out Ukraine or Europe being concerned.“You’ll talk about no matter you wish to have with Putin. But when it involves Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe additionally need to comply with this deal,” Kallas instructed newshounds in Brussels, the place she led a gathering of EU international ministers.Kallas is scheduled to commute to Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Eu Union international coverage leader Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a gathering of EU international ministers on the Eu Council development in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Virginia Mayo)
Eu Union international coverage leader Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a gathering of EU international ministers on the Eu Council development in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photograph/Virginia Mayo)Learn Extra
In the meantime, the U.N. Safety Council authorized a U.S.-sponsored answer that known as for a swift finish to the Ukraine battle however made no point out of Russian aggression. Previous Monday, the U.N. Basic Meeting rejected the answer, which handed handiest after it was once amended to state that the struggle was once the results of a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine through the Russian Federation.”Washington and Moscow draw nearer
Trump mentioned he idea Putin would now not object to Eu peacekeepers in Ukraine as a part of a possible deal to finish the battle.“Yeah, he’s going to settle for it,” Trump instructed newshounds on the White Area. “I’ve requested him that query. Glance, if we do that deal, he’s now not in search of extra battle.”In remarks broadcast on state tv, Putin mentioned he had now not talked with Trump intimately about finishing the battle, and neither did Russian and American negotiating groups after they met ultimate week in Saudi Arabia.Russia, he mentioned, does now not rule out Eu nations taking part in a peace agreement.Putin has in the past mentioned that Eu or U.S forces in Ukraine can be a big safety factor for Russia. He hasn’t ever publicly indicated that he would settle for Western troops in Ukraine, and more than one Russian officers have mentioned that will be a crimson line for Moscow.Relating to U.S. passion in Ukrainian uncommon earth minerals, Putin mentioned he can be concerned about exploring identical alternatives with Trump, announcing Russia has “considerably extra sources of this sort than Ukraine.”Russian and American officers mentioned making improvements to financial ties throughout their assembly in Saudi Arabia, and if U.S. firms come to paintings in Russia, it’s going to be “a receive advantages and a substantial one,” Putin mentioned, suggesting cooperation may well be within the uncommon earth minerals, aluminum and effort sectors.Putin additionally mentioned he’s “now not in opposition to” Trump’s concept to chop protection spending through part and is “able for dialogue on this regard.”“I believe it’s a good suggestion. The U.S. would chop through 50 p.c, and we might reduce through 50 p.c, after which China would sign up for if it sought after,” Putin mentioned.Russia has vastly ramped up protection spending since its invasion of Ukraine, and the financial system has successfully pivoted to a battle footing. Many Russians have grow to be conversant in upper salaries as a exertions scarcity led to through the battle method the Russian army and employers compete to rent them.Russia’s international ministry mentioned Saturday that arrangements for a face-to-face assembly between Trump and Putin had been underway.___Associated Press writers Lorne Cook dinner in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Emma Burrows in London contributed to this document. ___Follow AP’s protection of the battle in Ukraine at
