Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the “absolute heroism” of his compatriots three years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its pro-western neighbour, as Moscow said Europe’s biggest war in 80 years would continue until it secured a favourable settlement.
“Three years of absolute heroism by our people. Eternal memory to all who stood up in defence of our state and our people, giving their lives so that Ukraine may live,” Mr Zelenskiy said on Monday. “Eternal gratitude to the fallen heroes – the gratitude of Ukraine, the gratitude of all free nations.”
Mr Zelenskiy joined visiting heads of state and top European Union officials in honouring victims of a Russian invasion that has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and driven millions from their homes.
He said it was vital for Ukraine and Europe to be involved in talks to end the war, because “Russia’s strategic target is Europe itself, the European way of life ... Ukraine and Europe, together with America – we must be at the negotiating table, opposite Russia.”
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New US president Donald Trump’s push for a swift end to the war has shaken Kyiv and European capitals, however, as he seeks to negotiate a deal directly with the Kremlin that would be part of a rapprochement with Russia.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country was “ready to negotiate with Ukraine, with Europe, with any representatives who would like to help achieve peace in a spirit of goodwill. But we will stop fighting only when these negotiations yield a solid, sustainable result that is acceptable to the Russian Federation”.”
“Of course, the realities on the ground must be taken into account,” he added, referring to Moscow’s demand that Ukraine accept the permanent occupation of five regions now fully or partly controlled by Russia. The Kremlin also insists that the path to Nato membership be barred to Ukraine forever.
Ukraine still seeks Nato membership or, as a stopgap, ironclad security guarantees from the US and European powers.
So far, however, Mr Trump’s administration has only demanded that Ukraine give the US sweeping access to its natural resources in exchange for assurances that US investment in the country will ward off any future Russian attack. Mr Zelenskiy angered Mr Trump by rejecting a first proposed deal, but talks have continued.
“Ukrainian and US teams are in the final stages of negotiations regarding the minerals agreement,” Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olga Stefanishyna said on Monday. “We hope both ... leaders might sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come.”
Russia has warmly welcomed the sudden shift in the US stance towards Ukraine, Europe and the war, and now believes it can secure not only a favourable end to fighting but a sweeping deal on bigger geopolitical issues with Mr Trump.
“We can recognise with sufficient confidence the desire of the American side to move towards a quick ceasefire,” Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told state media on Monday.
“But ... 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-American relations. We do not want this,” he added.
“We need to find a long-term solution, which, in turn, must necessarily include an element of overcoming the root causes of what has been happening in and around Ukraine.”
As a pretext for its invasion of independent Ukraine – which has been dominated by Moscow for centuries – the Kremlin claimed that it was becoming a bridgehead for a Nato attack on Russia and that its Russian speakers faced discrimination.
