On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the parties involved in the military confrontation between Moscow and Kyiv have firmly established their positions. The key updates on events in Ukraine, Russia, and the USA as of the morning of February 25 are summarized by Tengrinews.kz.
Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
On Monday, it marked three years since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Leaders from Western nations, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrived in Kyiv for this occasion.
Leaders from several Western countries and the European Union held a summit in Kyiv to support Ukraine, reaffirming their unwavering stance on backing Kyiv.
Europe pledged to allocate €3.5 billion to Kyiv in March, while President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his readiness to exchange prisoners of war with Russia on the formula of "all for all."
At the same time, European Council President António Costa stated that "EU member states will not demand any natural resources from Ukraine in exchange for assistance."
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2025
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also mentioned that EU membership is crucial for Ukraine's future, and she believes this could happen before 2030.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte assured that the North Atlantic Alliance will continue to support Ukraine.
Washington did not send any high-ranking officials to this event.
New Sanctions Against Russia Approved
Earlier, the foreign ministers of EU countries approved new sanctions against Russia. The measures target Russia's so-called shadow fleet—ships used to circumvent restrictions on oil and gas transportation or to transport stolen Ukrainian grain.
Some countries have implemented their own separate packages of anti-Russian sanctions.
The UK authorities expanded their sanctions list, adding over 60 new individuals and companies, as well as several dozen maritime vessels.
Canada's sanctions included TV host Vladimir Pozner, the Akhmat Kadyrov Fund, a deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation, and other individuals and companies.
UN General Assembly Takes Neutral Stance
The UN General Assembly adopted both the American resolution marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resolution prepared by Kyiv and Brussels condemning Russia as an aggressor.
The draft resolution submitted by Ukraine and the EU calls for de-escalation, an immediate end to hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. It reaffirms commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and reiterates the demand for Russia to "immediately, fully, and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from Ukraine." It received support from 93 countries, with 65 abstentions and 18 votes against.
For the first time, the USA did not co-sponsor the EU's draft resolution on Ukraine and, by voting against it, found itself in an unusual position among like-minded nations.
After significant amendments were made to the draft proposed by the USA, it was still presented for voting. It called for a "rapid cessation" of the war in Ukraine and contained no criticism of Moscow. At the initiative of European states, the document included a reference to Ukraine's territorial integrity and achieving a "just peace." As a result, the US draft also received support from 93 countries, with 72 abstentions.
Ultimately, the UN General Assembly adopted both documents.
Emmanuel Macron Wants a "Quick but Not Fragile Deal" on Ukraine
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While European leaders visited Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Washington to try to change the US position on the Russia-Ukraine war.
After a personal meeting in the Oval Office, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump held a joint press conference in front of the White House, where the presidents answered questions from journalists and made several statements.
Macron stated that:
- Europe will provide security guarantees to Ukraine;
- he warned Volodymyr Zelensky against a hasty deal, asserting that a ceasefire in Ukraine without security guarantees is "unacceptable";
- he stated that seizing frozen Russian assets is impossible as it violates international law;
- he believed there is a compelling reason to resume engagement with Putin.
"Peace cannot mean the capitulation of Ukraine," he noted.
Donald Trump reiterated his view that the war in Ukraine will end soon. He informed about a significant change in Russia's position, suggesting that Vladimir Putin might agree to deploy European peacekeepers on Ukrainian territory.
However, Emmanuel Macron cautioned that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty.
Donald Trump also announced an upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated he could meet with him this week or next to sign a mineral agreement.
Additionally, Trump confirmed that "at some point," he would meet with Vladimir Putin.
When asked if Ukraine should concede territory as part of a peace agreement, Trump replied, "We'll see." He expressed hope that Kyiv "can regain some of its land" and noted that he is assisting Ukraine in ways no one ever has.
Rare Earth Minerals and the War in Ukraine
The American president continues to insist that Washington should not keep spending money on aid to Ukraine and that a new minerals agreement with Ukraine will help rectify this situation.
He reiterated that the US "must get back the money invested in Ukraine," noting that the amount spent on aid to Kyiv has decreased from $500 billion to $350 billion. While Kyiv still owes $500 billion, it is not to the US but to some fund.
Trump hopes to sign a deal with Ukraine "very soon."
Meanwhile, Axios has learned some details about the upcoming agreement.
As part of the multi-billion-dollar deal, the US will express its desire to keep Ukraine "free, sovereign, and secure," the publication reports.
Axios cites a Ukrainian official stating that the draft agreement calls for the establishment of an "Investment Reconstruction Fund," which will be jointly managed by the US and Ukraine.
"The government of the United States of America intends to provide long-term financial commitments to develop a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine," says the draft.
The draft, reviewed by Axios, does not specify any military obligations for the US. It also states that Ukraine should contribute $500 billion to the fund and that Ukraine's contributions should be twice that of the US, but it does not call for this amount to be paid to the US. The draft stipulates that 50% of Ukraine's revenues (after operating expenses) from "extracted materials"—including minerals, oil, and gas—should be paid into the fund.
The text includes a provision regarding projects in territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, "in case such territories are de-occupied."
Sources from both sides told Axios that the deal appears increasingly likely and may be announced soon.
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Russia Offered Minerals to Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, "Russia has significantly more rare earth metals than Ukraine, and Moscow is ready to offer them to interested partners, including in the new regions."
The Russian president also emphasized that he is not against preserving Ukraine's statehood; it is important to him that Ukrainian territory is not used to threaten Moscow.
He also stated that "there is nothing wrong with Europe wanting to participate in negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian conflict."
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