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A DOZEN leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine’s capital today to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
The visitors, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as Britain’s Keir Starmer, attended anniversary events and discussed continued support for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The conflict appears to be moving towards a conclusion with US President Donald Trump insisting that he will lead discussions with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to secure a peace deal.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pushed back on President Trump’s claim that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.
“This is not a conflict Ukraine wanted, provoked or asked for in any way,” he said.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said: “Today marks the start of the fourth year of the terrible war. Let us hope that it also marks the beginning of the end.”
Russia has insisted that Ukraine cannot be allowed membership of Nato or for the military alliance to station troops as a peacekeeping force in any peace deal, while the US has said any troops from other Nato countries sent there will not be covered by the alliance’s mutual defence clause.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Russia could not be allowed to make demands on how Ukraine defends itself and the “European security order” already in place should remain steadfast despite Russian desires for change.
The US says there is no room at the negotiating table for the Europeans.
And Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia does not see any way to resume “dialogue with Europe” after the EU adopted its 16th round of sanctions against Russia today.
By adding to sanctions, European nations appear to be convinced that the war should continue, Mr Peskov said. The Trump administration has hinted at an end to sanctions and recalling Russia to membership of the G8, as it was before its 2014 expulsion.
The United Nations general assembly is expected to vote tonight on competing resolutions on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s EU-backed proposal demands an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the country, while a US motion calls for a swift end to the war without mentioning Russia.
Ukraine refused to bow to US pressure to withdraw its motion.
