The Latest: Ukraine marks third war anniversary as US shifts policy under Donald Trump
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine’s capital Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. The visitors, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were set to attend anniversary events and discuss supporting Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The anniversary was being marked as U.S. policies on Russia and Ukraine shift under President Donald Trump.
Here’s the latest:
Starmer reaffirms willingness to send troops to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ukrainians’ voices “must be at the heart of the drive for peace.”
Addressing an international summit in Kyiv by video, he said Trump’s intervention had “changed the global conversation” and “created an opportunity.”
“In this crucial moment as talks begin, we must work together to shape the outcome,” Starmer said. “Russia does not hold all the cards in this war. Because Ukrainians have the courage to defend their country, because Russia’s economy is in trouble and because they have lost the best of their land forces and their Black Sea fleet in this pointless invasion.”
He said Ukraine must have a seat at the table and strong security guarantees in any settlement, and reaffirmed that Britain is prepared to put troops on the ground as part of that process. He repeated his call for a U.S. backstop that “will be vital to deter Russia from launching another invasion in just a few years’ time.” However, President Trump has so far shown little interest in the idea.
The U.K. is imposing its biggest package of sanctions since the early days of the war, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and companies in China and elsewhere that send military components to Russia.
“We must keep dialing up the economic pressure, to get Putin to a point where he is ready not just to talk, but to make concessions,” Starmer said.
Russia stands firm on opposition to Ukraine joining NATO
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has insisted that Ukraine must be definitely barred from NATO membership as part of the talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a meeting in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Lavrov said, “Ukraine’s absolute non-accession to NATO is also a must. There must be a clear, iron-solid agreement on this. At the meeting in Riyadh with our American colleagues, we welcomed the fact that President Trump has publicly and repeatedly called the line on pulling Ukraine into NATO a mistake.”
In July, a NATO summit declaration said Ukraine was on an “irreversible” path to membership in the alliance. However, in Brussels earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia.
Von der Leyen says securing Ukraine’s sovereignty will prevent future wars
The destiny of both Ukraine and the European Union are at stake in discussions over how the war can be brought to an end, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“A free and sovereign Ukraine is not only in the European interest, but it is in the interest of the whole world,” she said. “The autocrats around the world are watching very carefully whether there’s any impunity if you violate international borders or invade your neighbor, or if there is true deterrence.”
Von der Leyen said securing Ukraine’s sovereignty would prevent future wars, and its “highly innovative and thriving defense industry” should be integrated into EU defense, with Ukraine as a member of the bloc.
In a sign that European countries were acting to boost their own defense over concerns of a diminished U.S. role, von der Leyen said she would present a “comprehensive” investment plan that would ramp up arms production and defense capabilities for both the EU and Ukraine at an emergency meeting of EU leaders on March 6.
She also said the EU’s executive commission had developed an energy security plan that would “fully integrate” Ukraine and Moldova’s energy markets into the bloc by the end of 2026 — a response, she said, to Russia’s “relentless” targeting of Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The EU would “seize the full potential of Ukraine’s vast gas storages, of which 80% are located closer to the EU member states, and this will generate income for Ukraine,” von der Leyen said.
Turkey offers to mediate in talks to end the war
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday voiced support for U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine and renewed a long-standing Turkish offer to mediate in negotiations.
“This situation aligns with the policy we have been following since the beginning of the war,” Fidan said at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. “We attach great importance to the new initiative of the United States, as a result-oriented approach.”
Fidan said: “We are ready to provide all kinds of support for the establishment of peace through negotiations. As before, we are also ready to host the talks”
Lavrov, who met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh last week, said Russian and U.S. officials would soon hold comprehensive consultations toward the “normalization of embassy operations” in Moscow and Washington.
Turkey has balanced its close ties to both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict, positioning itself as one of the few countries that can hold talks with both sides. It hosted peace talks in 2022, although no agreement was reached.
No lasting peace without Ukraine at the table, Trudeau says
KYIV — Trudeau framed the war in Ukraine and its potential resolution in terms of the post-World War II security order, rather than returning “to an era where might makes right.”
“We must do everything in our power to enable Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace, a peace that cannot be achieved without Ukrainians at the table,” he said.
Trudeau said Canada would provide Ukraine with additional armored vehicles that Ukrainian soldiers would soon be trained on in Germany. He added that landing systems for F-16 fighter jets had already been delivered while flight simulators would be delivered in the coming months.
“Ukrainians will triumph because Ukrainians are fighting for what is right. But they cannot and should not do it alone,” Trudeau said, as he called for Kyiv’s allies to defend democracy and “stand for our shared values.”
Russia is willing to negotiate with Ukraine and Europe, Lavrov says
ANKARA, Turkey — Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that Russia is “ready to negotiate with both Ukraine and Europe” but will “stop military hostilities” only when the negotiations yield a “firm, sustainable result” which suits Russia.
Lavrov suggested the position of both Ukraine and European countries is changing frequently and that “against this background, the position of the United States stands out.”
Canadian and Dutch leaders pledge support for Ukraine
KYIV — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed President Zelenskyy, praising his “remarkable personal bravery, resilience and resolve.”
“You continue to inspire me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens back home in Canada,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau pushed back on the Kremlin’s narrative, echoed in recent days by U.S. President Donald Trump and some members of his administration, that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.
“This is not a conflict Ukraine wanted, provoked or asked for in any way,” he said. “This is a war started for one reason and one reason only: Russia’s desire to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that the last few “turbulent weeks” surrounding the push to bring an end to the war had brought European nations “face to face with history.”
“Today marks the start of the fourth year of the terrible war. Let us hope that it also marks the beginning of the end,” he said.
‘We will see a European Ukraine,’ Finnish president pledges
KYIV — Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Europe needs “to make clear to the Russians and everyone else that there are a few things that are completely off the table in these negotiations” to end the war in Ukraine.
“One is EU membership. It is not Russia who decides on EU membership, it is the European Union who does that. Two is NATO. It is not Russia that decides on NATO membership. It is the alliance itself,” he declared.
Russia could not be allowed to make demands on how Ukraine defends itself and where its borders lie, Stubb said, and the “European security order” already in place should remain steadfast despite Russian desires for change.
Stubb added that the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion should be an occasion to “honor the fallen Ukrainian heroes,” and “face the fact that Putin has lost this war.”
“We will see a European Ukraine. We will see eventually Ukraine in NATO, we’ve seen a unified European Union and hopefully a stronger trans-Atlantic alliance in the long run. And on a day like this, I think it’s time to pave the way for a plan for Ukrainian victory,” Stubb said.
Putin and Xi speak, underscoring close Russia-China ties
BEIJING — China’s President Xi Jinping had a call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Monday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The announcement did not mention the details of the call. The two are known to have a close relationship, which is also reflected in bilateral ties.
China has become a major customer for Russian oil and gas and a source of key technologies amid sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow.
Russia decries new EU sanctions and praises US approach
MOSCOW — President Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia does not see any way to resume “dialogue with Europe” after the EU adopted its 16th round of sanctions against Russia on the third anniversary of the invasion. By adding to sanctions, European nations appear to be convinced that the war should continue, Peskov said.
This stands in contrast with searching for ways to resolve “the conflict around Ukraine which is what we are currently doing with the Americans,” Peskov said.
Speaking about Russia’s changing relationship with the U.S., Peskov welcomed “attempts by Washington to really understand what was the root cause of this conflict.”
Czech leader warns against ‘peace at any cost’
KYIV — Czech President Petr Pavel said via remote link that he has “no doubt that the ultimate goal of this aggression has always been to wipe Ukraine as we know it off the map.”
“Yet the resilience of the Ukrainian people has proven to be unbreakable,” Pavel told the gathering of European leaders in Kyiv. “It deserves not only our admiration, but also our full respect. We all sincerely want peace in Ukraine and for its people, but not a peace at any cost.”
Incendiary device targets Russian Consulate in France
French authorities say an incendiary device has exploded outside the Russian Consulate in the southern port city of Marseille on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. No injuries were reported.
A second device, which was also thrown against the consulate’s outer wall, did not explode and fell to the sidewalk. A bomb disposal expert was called to the scene.
The suspect fled and an investigation has been launched, an official said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be publicly named by national police policy. Authorities did not provide details on the suspect or a motive.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the incident has “all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.”
EU brings new sanctions against Russia
European Union foreign ministers have given the greenlight to new sanctions against Russia which are entering force on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Among the latest sanctions endorsed Monday are measures targeting Russia’s so-called “ shadow fleet ” of ships that it exploits to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or to carry stolen Ukrainian grain. The EU said 74 vessels were added to its list.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the new measures also target “those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers, videogame controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to circumvent our sanctions, and propaganda outlets used to spout lies.”
Asset freezes and travel bans were imposed on 83 officials and entities. More than 2,300 officials and entities have been hit since the invasion began, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
German president says Europe’s peace requires support for Ukraine
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says “peace and freedom in Europe demand of us that we support Ukraine resolutely.”
“Germany stands firmly beside Ukraine, with humanitarian aid, with protection for refugees, with military support,” Steinmeier said in the video message, parts of which were aired on Ukrainian television. “And we will not ease up as long as this illegal war lasts.”
Steinmeier planned to join a video summit Zelenskyy was holding Monday with leaders of supportive nations.
Steinmeier is a largely ceremonial head of state, but the winner of Germany’s election Sunday – conservative leader Friedrich Merz – also has been a staunch backer of Ukraine.
“More than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength,” Merz posted on X Monday. “For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations.”
EU diplomat insists U.S. cannot seal peace deal excluding Ukraine and Europe
The European Union’s top diplomat insists that the U.S. cannot seal any peace deal to end the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine or Europe being involved.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday also highlighted what she claimed was pro-Russian positions being taken up by the Trump administration.
“You can discuss whatever you want with Putin. But if it comes to Europe or Ukraine then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,” Kallas told reporters in Brussels, where she is chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Kallas travels to Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
She said in terms of U.S. message, it was “clear that the Russian narrative is there very strongly represented.”
U.N. expected to vote on dueling Russia-Ukraine resolutions
The U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote Monday on dueling resolutions — Ukraine’s European-backed proposal demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the country and a U.S. call for a swift end to the war that never mentions Moscow’s aggression.
The United States pressured the Ukrainians to withdraw their nonbinding resolution in favor of its proposal, a U.S. official and a European diplomat said Sunday. But Ukraine refused, and it will be put to a vote in the 193-nation assembly, two European diplomats said. All spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
It’s a reflection of the tensions that have emerged between the U.S. and Ukraine after President Donald Trump suddenly opened negotiations with Russia in a bid to quickly resolve the conflict. It also underscores the strain in the transatlantic alliance with Europe over the Trump administration’s extraordinary turnaround on engagement with Moscow. European leaders were dismayed that they and Ukraine were left out of preliminary talks last week.
— Associated Press journalist Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
