KYIV, Ukraine — On Monday, Ukraine’s capital welcomed a group of a dozen leaders from Europe and Canada, gathering to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Among the attendees were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who planned to engage in discussions about ongoing support for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This anniversary has also arrived at a time of changing U.S. policies regarding Russia and Ukraine under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In related developments, the chief diplomat of the European Union emphasized that any peace negotiations to end the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin would necessitate the involvement of both Ukraine and Europe. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, expressed her stance on Monday, noting the implications of Trump’s foreign policy that appear to align with pro-Russian interests. “You can discuss whatever you want with Putin. But regarding Europe or Ukraine, both must agree to any terms of that deal,” she remarked to reporters during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Kallas is set to engage in conversations in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where she will address concerns over the strong influence of the Russian narrative in U.S. messaging. The ongoing discussions underscore the importance of unified efforts between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe amid the shifting political landscape.
In parallel, the United Nations General Assembly is preparing for a vote concerning opposing resolutions: one from Ukraine, supported by European nations, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and another from the U.S., which calls for an end to hostilities but does not address Russia’s role in the conflict. This situation illustrates the rising tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine, especially following Trump’s unexpected initiation of negotiations with Russia, which reportedly excluded key European and Ukrainian representatives from earlier discussions.
President Zelenskyy also revealed on Sunday that a controversial proposal from the Trump administration, which suggested that the U.S. would receive $500 billion in profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for wartime support, has been withdrawn. He indicated that negotiations for a more balanced agreement were in progress. Zelenskyy previously rejected a U.S. draft that did not provide necessary security guarantees, which are critical for Ukraine to safeguard against future Russian threats.
At a press conference in Kyiv marking the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy confirmed, “The question of the $500 billion is no longer on the table,” reflecting a shift in the negotiations. However, he did not disclose any specifics regarding the status of these discussions, reiterating Ukraine’s insistence on obtaining adequate security guarantees moving forward.
