KYIV, Ukraine — On Monday, over a dozen Western leaders gathered in Ukraine to commemorate the third anniversary of the ongoing war with Russia. Many of the attendees pledged to provide additional military assistance, underscoring their support for Kyiv amid growing concerns regarding the U.S. government’s commitment under President Donald Trump’s administration to aid Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive actions. As the conflict enters its fourth year, it is particularly crucial, with Trump recently returning to office and advocating for a peace settlement. This has raised jitters among Ukrainian and European officials due to his friendly demeanor towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and critical remarks directed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that global security hinges on the resolution of the war, emphasizing, “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.” Her comments came during a conference held in Kyiv.
Observers have expressed concerns that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden China in its ambitions, particularly regarding Beijing’s claims over Taiwan. Recently, Trump has labeled Zelenskyy as a dictator, indicated that Ukraine bears responsibility for the conflict, and rolled back the diplomatic isolation that Putin experienced from the U.S. for three years. Additionally, U.S. officials have signaled that Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO are unlikely to materialize, and the prospects of reclaiming approximately 20% of Ukrainian land that Russian forces occupy seem dim.
At the same time, Russian military forces have been steadily advancing, while Ukraine faces a shortage of both troops and essential weaponry. Prominent supporters of Ukraine, including leaders from Europe and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, traveled to Kyiv as part of a wave of diplomatic visits. Many dignitaries addressed the conference remotely, echoing sentiments about the need to involve Ukraine and its European allies in any potential peace talks, emphasizing the importance of counteracting Putin’s ambitions, and advocating for Europe to assume a greater role in its own defense.
The shift in Washington’s foreign policy has raised alarm across Europe, with concerns that the U.S. may disengage from efforts to secure a peace settlement. European governments are contemplating how to compensate for potential reductions in U.S. aid for Ukraine, which has strained transatlantic relations. European Council President Antonio Costa announced plans to convene an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on March 6 to prioritize discussions on Ukraine.
“This is a defining moment for Ukraine and European security,” Costa stated in a social media post. This week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to visit Washington for discussions.
On the diplomatic front, EU foreign ministers have rolled out another set of sanctions aimed at Russia, particularly targeting its “shadow fleet” of ships known to circumvent transportation restrictions on oil and gas or to engage in carrying looted Ukrainian grain. The EU has added 74 more vessels to its list of sanctioned entities, alongside asset freezes and travel bans affecting 83 officials and organizations connected to the Russian government.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a substantial military systems package for Ukraine, valued at 1 billion euros (approximately $1.04 billion), to be delivered this year. Concurrently, Starmer emphasized the integral role of Ukrainian voices in peace negotiations, while recognizing that Trump’s involvement has “changed the global conversation” and opened up fresh opportunities. “Russia does not hold all the cards in this war,” he remarked.
Following a significant victory in Germany’s recent elections, conservative leader Friedrich Merz, a strong advocate for Ukraine, stressed the need to empower Ukraine in its struggle for strength. “For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations,” he asserted.
In a troubling development, Russia launched its largest drone assault of the conflict on Sunday, deploying 267 drones against Ukraine. EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, highlighted that the U.S. cannot finalize any peace agreement without Ukraine’s involvement, noting perceived pro-Russian stances within the Trump administration.
“Discussions with Putin are fine, but when it comes to Ukraine or Europe, both must agree on any settlement,” Kallas stated during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She is set to travel to Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres described the third anniversary as a “grim milestone,” noting the tragic toll of over 12,600 civilian deaths and widespread destruction across communities, schools, and hospitals.
In an ominous signal, Russia’s foreign ministry announced preparations for a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin. U.S. officials have indicated that they are working with Moscow to restore diplomatic relations and resume economic cooperation. Kallas refuted Trump’s earlier claim that Zelenskyy had assumed dictatorial powers by failing to hold elections after his term expired, reminding the public that Russia has not conducted elections in a quarter-century. Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law, and Zelenskyy recently confirmed that elections will be held once martial law is lifted, giving the people the opportunity to make their choice.
