Trump assures: 'The war could be over in a few weeks'

The war in Ukraine could end within weeks and Vladimir Putin will accept European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Donald Trump assured this after his meeting at the White House with Emmanuel Macron.

The French President, for his part, stressed that Ukraine must be involved in the peace talks.

The US resolution on the war in Ukraine was adopted by the UN General Assembly with the amendments proposed by the EU. Italy voted in favor of the amended text.

The Assembly approved the amendments presented by France on behalf of the EU to the US resolution on Ukraine 'Path to Peace'. The votes were in one case 78 yes, 16 no and 67 abstentions; in the second case 60 yes, 18 no and 81 abstentions.

The US resolution with the EU amendments was adopted with 93 votes in favor, 73 abstentions and eight votes against (Belarus, Burkina Faso, North Korea, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, Russia, Sudan). The United States is among those who abstained in the vote of the resolution they themselves presented, after it was amended by the UN Assembly with the European proposal that reaffirms the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the request for a "just peace".

The Russian amendment to the American resolution was instead rejected: 71 countries voted against, 59 abstained and 31 supported. The US had asked to reject all the amendments.

Donald Trump will soon meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The American president said this, according to Bloomberg, underlining that Zelensky could "come this week or next week to sign the agreement" on minerals, on which "we are close to an agreement".

As for the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it will happen soon.

The UN General Assembly reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The General Assembly adopted the EU-backed Ukrainian resolution with 93 yes votes, 18 no votes and 65 abstentions. The vote on the amendments to the US resolution is now underway.

The United States voted against the EU-backed Ukrainian resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The United States called on member states to reject the Russian and EU amendments to their resolution text, which only "perpetuate the war of words." US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said the US resolution was not "the peace agreement" but "the path to peace."

"We will veto any Russian amendment and we will veto the European ones," a senior State Department official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that the Trump administration views the Security Council vote as important, not the one that is about to happen in the General Assembly on the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.

"The goal is to keep the resolution to the bare bones of what President Trump wants us to do, which is to use the United Nations to find a path to peace," he said.

According to diplomatic sources, the four EU members of the Security Council plus Britain intend to submit amendments to the US text to describe Russia as the aggressor and insist on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The EU has also submitted similar amendments to the US resolution in the General Assembly, where no country has veto power.

The US and Ukrainian draft resolutions and amendments to the US text are now up for vote in the UN General Assembly.

Before the vote, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said that all peace efforts should be supported. Fu stressed that a binding peace agreement should be acceptable to all parties and expressed hope that Europe would find unity to address the root causes of the conflict.

"At this critical moment, we count on the international community to create an atmosphere conducive to a political solution to the crisis and on the General Assembly to help build a consensus for peace among member states," the Chinese ambassador said.

The United States wants its text of the resolution on Ukraine to pass in the Security Council without amendments and is ready to veto them to block them, a senior US official said on condition of anonymity. The Security Council is scheduled to meet in the afternoon New York time, in the evening in Italy.

Representatives of Russia and the EU have submitted amendments to the US resolution at the UN. The Russian text, in the operative paragraph, inserts 'including addressing the root causes of the conflict' after the phrase 'an early end to the conflict'.

The first European amendment calls on the General Assembly to replace the phrase 'lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation' with the phrase 'just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in line with the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of States'.

The second EU amendment proposes the addition of a new paragraph: 'Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters'.

The United States has asked Russia and Ukraine to support their peace plan at the UN, three years after the start of Moscow's war against Kiev. American Ambassador Dorothy Shea presented the text entitled Path to Peace to the general assembly.

Shea noted that many resolutions over three years have called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, but have failed to stop the war. The US envoy added that member states must return to the principles and purpose of the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security through the resolution of disputes.

"As we gather here on the third anniversary, we need a resolution that signals the commitment of all member states to bring about a lasting end to the war," and the US resolution "does just that," he added.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Betsa Mariana presented the Kiev resolution to end the war to the UN General Assembly.

"This is a historic moment. How we respond to the Russian resolution today will define the future of Ukraine, Europe and our common future," he told the Assembly member states, adding that "no country can feel safe if aggression is justified."

Ukraine is "an example of merit, quality and speed" in the reform process and "if it continues at this pace" its entry into the EU "could be before 2030". This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Kiev.

"I am deeply impressed by the speed and quality with which Ukraine is implementing reforms and taking all the necessary steps" to join the Union, von der Leyen stressed, repeatedly praising the "hard work" done by Kiev "as it fights a war for survival" and its "political will".

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, reiterated the need for the EU to appoint a special envoy for Ukraine in view of future peace talks. The issue will be on the table of the extraordinary summit of the leaders of the Twenty-seven in Brussels, called for March 6. The goal, Costa stressed in Kiev, is "to strengthen Ukraine's defense capacity but also" to define "how we can be prepared for future peace negotiations, if and when they happen".

A new meeting between Russian and US delegations will be held tomorrow in Riyadh, following last week's meeting between Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had established a regular "consultation mechanism," a diplomatic source told AFP, requesting anonymity.

According to the source, "the follow-up meeting" between Russian and US representatives will be "of a lower level" than the previous one, "but it remains a sign of progress."

"If Ukraine falls, all countries similar to ours," that is, former Soviet republics, "like Estonia, are at risk because of the Kremlin's policies." This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a press conference with EU leaders and a delegation of European leaders.

Zelensky recalled how Russia justified the invasion of Donbass or Crimea as a "defense of Russian territories".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during their meeting in Kiev in recent weeks.

According to the Financial Times, the two clashed over the details of the US-Ukraine minerals deal, and in particular over the figure of $500 billion estimated by the Americans for past military assistance.

Ukrainian officials said Zelensky was very angry and that shouting could be heard from the room where they were meeting. Bessent asked Zelensky to sign the agreement immediately, which remains under negotiation with Kiev, which has so far resisted American pressure to close a deal that does not include security guarantees.

A few hours before the vote, there is still a clash over the resolution at the UN on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The United States, the Financial Times writes, has called for the Ukrainian-EU resolution to be withdrawn and has instead proposed its own text, which equates Ukraine's actions with those of Russia and mourns "the tragic loss of life in the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine." The co-signed text by Ukraine and Europe condemns the Russian invasion and is scheduled to be voted on this afternoon by the 193 members of the General Assembly.

According to a document seen by the Financial Times, France, supported by its European allies, has proposed an amendment to the US resolution that refers to "Russia's invasion of Ukraine" and the "sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine".

If the amendment is not accepted, most European countries will not vote in favor of the resolution, officials warned, although they acknowledged that some might depart from the EU position to support that of the United States.

Two officials added that European members would resubmit the amendment when the Security Council meets later this afternoon, but said its inclusion could be vetoed by Russia and China.

France and the United Kingdom, both permanent members of the 15-member council, may then have to decide whether to use their vetoes to block the US resolution or abstain and let it go to a vote.

"We are watching with concern the attempt to decide over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians to make an agreement with Russia. This is unacceptable for Europe," said CDU leader and future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, responding in Berlin at the Konrad Adenauer Haus.

"I'm quite concerned about what I hear in Washington, but I don't think it's the last word," Merz added, responding to a question about the positions taken in the US, both on tariffs and on Ukraine.

The UK has launched "the biggest package of sanctions" against Moscow since the start of the war in Ukraine on the day that marks its third anniversary.

This is what is stated in a note from the Foreign Office according to which 107 entities and individuals have been targeted both in Russia and in other countries that contribute to the Kremlin's military and economic effort. Among them is the North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol as well as generals and senior officials of Pyongyang "complicit in the deployment of more than 11,000 troops" of North Korea in Russia.

London's wide-ranging sanctions target manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and components for the Russian military, including microprocessors in weapons systems, in several countries, including Turkey, Thailand, India and China. For the first time, the Foreign Ministry note also says, new powers are being used against foreign financial institutions that support Moscow's "war machine", such as Kyrgyzstan-based Ojsc Keremet Bank.

Among the Russian entities sanctioned was a company accused of transferring European technology, as well as 14 oligarchs, such as Roman Trotsenko. In addition, 40 more ships of the so-called "shadow fleet" used by Moscow to continue trading oil and gas around the world, bypassing the embargo imposed by the West, were targeted. "Every military supply line cut, every ruble blocked and every accomplice of Putin's aggression exposed is a step towards a just and lasting peace," said Foreign Minister David Lammy. And again: "A lasting peace can only be achieved through force. That is why we are focused on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position."

"No one in Europe wants the war to continue, that's why we want to stop the Russian aggressor," High Representative Kaja Kallas said at a press conference on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council.

Kallas added that the foreign ministers of the 27 had a preliminary discussion on a military aid package. "The details and especially the amount will be discussed at the extraordinary European summit on March 6," he said, stressing the need to "put Ukraine in a position of strength."

"Why are all honest people standing with Ukraine today? Why are free nations paying tribute to the heroes and victims of this inhuman war today? Because this is a war in defense of all of us: Ukraine, Poland, Europe and our values. Let no one question the very meaning of this fight," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in a tweet.

"It has already been three years since the beginning of the war launched by Russia to invade Ukraine" and "throughout this time, the Italian government has been at your side in the effort for a just peace. This cannot be the surrender of Ukraine. Italy is working with its friends and partners for peace. Peace is our goal! There will be no negotiations without Ukraine and Europe, it is impossible to reach an agreement for peace without Ukraine and Europe, this is very important for us".

This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in his speech at the International Summit on the Support of Ukraine on the occasion of the third anniversary of the invasion.

"Peace must come with strong security guarantees for Ukraine. It must be real, strong and lasting, to prevent Europe from facing war again," the deputy prime minister added. "Italy is at the forefront of reconstruction, with particular attention to the energy sector, which is crucial for families, especially in winter. We are working hard, together with you and our friends and partners, to make the International Conference on Reconstruction that we will host in Rome on 10 and 11 July a great success," the minister then explained.

"For three difficult years, Italy has stood by Ukraine, and will continue to do so, for a future of peace, growth, prosperity and, above all, freedom. Slava Ukraini!" he concluded.

"We continue to stand by the Ukrainians for a just and lasting peace," wrote Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a message on the social network X published in German, English and Ukrainian.

Scholz also reiterated: "For three years, Ukrainians have defended their country with courage and heroism against Russia's war of aggression. Day after day. Week after week. No one wants peace more than they do."

US President Donald Trump has "changed the global conversation" in recent weeks and "created an opportunity" for peace in Ukraine, but Kiev needs security guarantees, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video link with European and international leaders gathered in Kiev for the third anniversary of the start of the conflict with Russia.

"If we want peace to last, Ukraine must have a seat at the negotiating table," Starmer stressed, "and a deal must be based on a sovereign Ukraine, underpinned by strong security guarantees."

“The UK is ready and willing to support this with troops on the ground alongside other Europeans and with the right conditions in place,” the prime minister said, reiterating London’s commitment to contributing its own military forces to a peacekeeping contingent once an agreement with Moscow on ending the war is reached.

In this context, however, there must be "vital" American support "to deter Russia from launching another invasion within a few years."

Starmer also said Moscow "doesn't hold all the cards" in the talks, contradicting Trump's earlier statements. He went on to say that the G7 "should be prepared to take more risks" by targeting Russia's oil giants and banks "that enable them to circumvent sanctions" from the West.

Sir Keir opened his speech by paying tribute to the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky and recalling that "for three years we have been united" against the invasion of Moscow's troops.

The prime minister is preparing for the crucial face-to-face meeting at the White House with Trump scheduled for next Thursday, which will focus on peace talks to end the conflict, where he will try to advance the initiative, in agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron, on the deployment of 30,000 European peacekeepers, as emerged in the media, but possible only with the defensive shield of the United States.

The Ukrainian and US teams are in the final stages of negotiations on rare earths and the talks are "very constructive," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna wrote on X, as reported by RBC Ukraina. "We are committed to completing it quickly to proceed with the signing. We hope that the leaders of the United States and Ukraine will sign and approve it in Washington as soon as possible to demonstrate our commitment for decades to come," Stefanishyna wrote.

Moscow has reached an agreement with Kiev to repatriate an unspecified number of residents of Russia's Kursk region who are currently on Ukrainian territory in the Sumy region. "There are people who are in Sumy today and there is an agreement with the Red Cross and the Ukrainian side that they will be evacuated to Russia through Belarus," said Tatiana Moskalkova, Russia's human rights commissioner.

"There will be no credible and successful negotiations, nor a lasting peace, without Ukraine and the EU. Only Ukraine can decide when the conditions will be right to start peace talks. Peace cannot be a simple ceasefire, it must be a lasting agreement. Peace must not reward the aggressor," said the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in Kiev.

"Putin wants to divide us and today we are demonstrating that our support is strong, united and unchanged," he stressed, reiterating the need for "concrete and strong security guarantees that will ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe."

China welcomes "the positive efforts made by Russia and other parties to resolve the crisis" in Ukraine. President Xi Jinping, speaking by telephone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the latter's request, recalled that last September, China, Brazil and some countries of the Global South "jointly established the 'Friends of Peace' group on the Ukraine crisis to create an atmosphere and accumulate conditions for promoting a political solution to the crisis." Putin briefed Xi "on the latest developments in contacts between Russia and the United States," CCTV reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for "real and lasting peace" in 2025 at a summit with Western leaders, including EU leaders, in Kiev to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader proposed a full exchange of all prisoners of war with Russia as the "start" of the process to end the conflict. "Russia must release the Ukrainians. Ukraine is ready to exchange everything for everyone, and this is a fair way to start," he said.

Air alert in Kiev during the visit of several Western leaders, including the heads of the European institutions, ;;to the capital to reiterate their support on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian Air Force said it had launched the nationwide alert due to the threat of a Russian missile attack.

Russia does not want an immediate ceasefire along the current front line in Ukraine to discuss peace terms later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, quoted by Ria Novosti news agency. Moscow will cease hostilities when mutually acceptable agreements are reached, and when there is an agreement that meets its demands, he added.

"We are ready to negotiate with both Ukraine and Europe, with all representatives who want to help achieve peace. However, we will stop hostilities only when these negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that satisfies Russia," Lavrov stressed after talks in Turkey with Ankara's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. And to reach an agreement, there must be an "ironclad" clause that guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO.

"Ukraine should not be a member of NATO, that is beyond question," Lavrov warned at a joint press conference with Fidan in Ankara, broadcast by state TV TRT. US President Donald Trump "has clearly said that Ukraine's entry into NATO would be a mistake," he added.

The Russian Foreign Minister then reiterated that "we stand by our position, we have not changed our position" on Ukraine. "All sides must show realistic attitudes," he added, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "changes his position all the time. This also applies to European countries, their views change. The US has a consistent position. They want a ceasefire."

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have agreed to deliver a united message on Ukraine when they meet Donald Trump this week.

Senior diplomatic sources said the two men will try to persuade Trump not to pursue bilateral peace talks with Putin in exchange for European commitment to Ukraine's future security, the Times reported. Macron will meet the US president today while Starmer will meet face-to-face at the White House on Thursday.

"Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine at this critical moment. I can announce that a new payment of 3.5 billion euros for Ukraine will arrive already in March. And, as President Costa just said, there will be a special European Council. I will present a comprehensive plan on how to increase our weapons production and defense capabilities in Europe. And Ukraine will benefit from it too. No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people. But a just and lasting peace can only be achieved by force," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kiev.

Von der Leyen spoke at the International Summit in Kiev, which also brought together the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, the Secretary General of the OSCE Feridun Sinirlioglu and some European leaders, including the Prime Ministers or Heads of State of Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia. Also present was Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

"The war in Ukraine remains the most central and important crisis for the future of Europe. Putin is trying more than ever to win this war on the ground. His goal remains the capitulation of Ukraine. And then we know what could happen next. Because it has happened before. It is not just the fate of Ukraine that is at stake. It is the fate of Europe. Our first priority therefore remains to strengthen Ukraine's resistance. So far, our Union and Member States have supported Ukraine with 134 billion euros. That is more than anyone else", stressed von der Leyen.

The winner of the German elections, Friedrich Merz, recalled, in a message on social media, the three years of Russian war in Ukraine, "three years of war in Europe". For Merz, Ukraine must be put in a position of strength, which is why "for a just peace, the attacked country must participate in peace negotiations". The conservative leader also recalled: "For three years, we have been accompanied by terrible images of destruction and war crimes. Europe continues to stand firmly by Ukraine's side".

"The EU keeps its promise: Foreign ministers have just approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. It affects everything from ships in the shadow fleet to game controllers used to control drones. We now have the most extensive sanctions ever, weakening Russia's war effort", writes EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on X.

As part of the sixteenth comprehensive package of sanctions adopted, the EU Council explains, Brussels has blacklisted another 48 individuals and 35 entities responsible for actions that threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Today's decision maintains pressure on the Russian military and defense, listing several industrial companies that produce weapons, ammunition and other military equipment and technologies.

As part of its efforts to close down shadow fleet networks, the EU has also imposed full-blown sanctions on three entities that transport Russian crude and petroleum products and provide significant revenues to the Russian government. Furthermore, this package continues to target entities responsible for evading EU sanctions, including through third countries.

For the first time, the Council also decided to sanction a Russia-based cryptocurrency exchange, Garantex, which is closely associated with Russian banks under EU sanctions. Sanctions will also be imposed on third-country actors directly supporting the Russian war effort. Today’s lists include a Chinese company specializing in the production of satellite imagery, in particular for the benefit of the Russian military-industrial complex, along with its chairman, as well as two senior officers of the Korean People’s Army.

Responding to Russian propaganda also remains a priority. Alongside known Russian propagandists, the EU has specifically blacklisted NewsFront and SouthFront, two outlets that present distorted interpretations of history and manipulated information in line with Kremlin messaging, while also targeting European and global audiences with distorted and manipulated information.

"Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people. We continue to demand that they be held accountable for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps taken towards the establishment of a Special Court for the crime of aggression against Ukraine," reads a joint statement by the three European institutions, Commission, Parliament and Council on the third anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"The EU keeps its promise: Foreign ministers have just approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. It affects everything from shadow fleet ships to game controllers used to control drones. We now have the most extensive sanctions ever, weakening Russia's war effort", writes EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on X.

"It is in our fundamental interest" that the negotiations on Ukraine "succeed", which is why "we will do everything possible to ensure that Brussels and pro-war Europeans cannot block a peace agreement between the United States and Russia", Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said via social media.

"We will not accept to speed up the extension of the sanctions regime against individuals, we will not accept the expenditure of tens of billions of euros for weapons supplies, and as for security guarantees, we will not ask ourselves what security guarantees Ukraine needs, but what security guarantees we Hungarians need," he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Kiev this morning to commemorate the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. "I'm really happy to be here," Trudeau said as he stepped off the train, addressing Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office. Yermak posted images of the meeting on social media.

"If I look at the messages coming from the United States, it is clear that the Russian narrative is strongly represented," EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said as she entered the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, answering a question about whether US President Donald Trump is a victim of Russian disinformation.

"I think it's good to have as many interactions as possible with the new US administration. I'm also going to the US tomorrow to meet with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio and others to discuss these issues, because it's extremely important," Kallas said, stressing the importance of "maintaining transatlantic unity."

"Dobbiamo continuare a sostenere l'Ucraina e andremo avanti insieme su questa strada. Puoi discutere anche con Putin ma n quel negoziato deve essercil'Europa e Kiev. Poi andremo avanti con il sedicesimo pacchetto di sanzioni contro la Russia", ha aggiunto. "Domani andrò a Washington per parlare con Rubio. Quando dice che Zelensky è un dittatore Trump sbaglia. Mi aspetto una stretta collaborazione con il nuovo governo tedesco e mi aspetto che si formi prima possibile".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has celebrated "three years of resistance" on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a social media post, Zelensky spoke of "three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians," he wrote. "I thank all those who defend and support Ukraine."

Turkey "can contribute to the peace talks (between Russia and Ukraine), including as a host country," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, stressing the importance of "launching a negotiation process that does not exclude any of the parties in the conflict." During the phone call, the Turkish leader stressed that Ankara continues "with its efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and establish a fair and lasting peace" and that Turkey has been the only country "that has brought the warring parties to the negotiating table on several occasions," the Presidency of the Turkish Republic reported.

EU leaders arrived in Kiev this morning to show their support for Ukraine, on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. "We are in Kiev today because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, it is not just the fate of Ukraine that is at stake, but that of Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a message on social media, accompanied by a video of her arrival by train in Kiev together with European Council President Antonio Costa.