European leaders have gathered in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-blown war on Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the Ukrainian people’s “absolute heroism” in withstanding unprovoked aggression. The event comes amidst growing concerns over US-Russia relations and a shift towards Europe resisting Russia alone.
Zelensky expressed his “eternal gratitude to the fallen heroes” and reiterated that Russia’s war was “absolutely unprovoked.” He also called for continued US support, stating it was crucial not to lose unity between the two nations. European leaders pledged to bolster security without US assistance, a drastic departure from decades-long cooperation.
In contrast, Ukrainian citizens remain defiant, with many expressing distrust in the US as an ally following recent talks between Washington and Moscow about Ukraine without Kyiv’s involvement. “We need help, but of course from our European partners,” said Anna Anisimova, a 45-year-old police officer.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia for its invasion, with amendments adding language blaming the aggressor and reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This marks a significant shift in tone compared to previous drafts that did not explicitly label Russia as the aggressor.
As Europe struggles to bolster its security without US assistance, negotiations between Ukrainian and American teams over access to rare earth minerals are nearing completion. The deal could pave the way for wider cooperation on ending Russia’s invasion.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/24/europe/zelensky-ukraine-war-anniversary-kyiv-summit/index.html