As Kyiv marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, leaders from the European Union and Canada have gathered in Ukraine to show their support.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and other top officials on Monday to applaud the “heroism” of his nation. However, there was no representative from the United States, amid growing uncertainty over Washington’s support.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians”, said Zelenskyy. “I thank everyone who supports and defends it.”
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, once more affirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine.
“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny”, she wrote in a social media post.
On the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kyiv. We are in Kyiv today, because Ukraine is Europe. Not only is Ukraine’s future at stake in this survival battle. It’s Europe’s destiny.
Amid the threatened vacuum in US military support, the 27-member bloc’s leaders are scheduled to meet on March 6 for a special summit “to take decisions” on Ukraine and European defence.
A 16th package of sanctions against Russia was approved, according to a meeting of the EU’s foreign ministers on Monday.
Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban has remained close to Vladimir Putin and has repeatedly obstructed EU support efforts, announced it will not support further sanctions.
Peter Szijjarto, the country’s foreign minister, added that his country won’t support a boost in military aid from the EU.
Competing resolutions
Donald Trump’s efforts to compel Ukraine to accept a peace treaty with Russia have led to the new confidence in Budapest.
Trump and Zelenskyy have a bitter feud with Russian media representatives, with the US leader accusing Kyiv of starting the war and questioning the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president.
As Washington and Kyiv present competing resolutions to the UN General Assembly on Monday, a showdown is anticipated at the UN’s New York headquarters.
Ukraine’s resolution, backed by European allies, demands an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces while emphasising Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Without making any explicit reference to Moscow’s aggression, the US proposal calls for a quick end to the conflict.
‘Unacceptable’
However, Trump’s peace plan, which appears designed to illustrate his self-appointed role as a global dealmaker, faces resistance on both sides.
Russia claimed on Monday that Russia’s attempts to “end the war” quickly are “unacceptable.”
A ceasefire without a long-term settlement “is the path to a swift resumption of fighting and a resumption of the conflict with even more serious consequences, including consequences for Russian-US relations”, Moscow’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
Meanwhile, Ukraine signalled on Sunday that the break with the US might be easing.
A contentious proposal, according to Kyiv, has now been removed from the table and negotiations on a different deal are advancing.
Zelenskyy promised to resign from his position if peace was achieved, Zelenskyy said in a Kyiv forum.
Source: Aljazeera
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