Ukraine welcomes European leaders as U.S. support wanes three years post-invasion

Ukraine marked the beginning of its fourth year of full-scale conflict with Russia on Monday, hosting numerous European and global leaders for a summit, while grappling with uncertainty regarding its reliance on its strongest ally, the United States.

Last week, Donald Trump criticized Volodymyr Zelenskiy, labeling him an unpopular “dictator” who must negotiate a swift peace deal or risk losing his nation. In response, the Ukrainian president asserted that the U.S. leader was ensnared in a “disinformation bubble.”

In a significant shift in policy, U.S. officials initiated direct discussions with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia last week, effectively excluding Kyiv and European nations from the dialogue. Washington has made it clear that it will not deploy troops as a security guarantee that Kyiv desires if a peace agreement is reached, thereby placing the onus on European nations that may struggle without American support.

Zelenskiy, who has urged Europe to establish its own military while calling on Washington to adopt a pragmatic approach, has engaged in over a dozen phone conversations since Friday, primarily with European leaders, to explore potential paths forward.

“Three years after the onset of Putin’s ‘three-day’ special military operation, Ukraine remains resilient, fighting, and our nation has more allies globally than ever before,” Zelenskiy stated during the summit attended by visiting leaders in Kyiv to commemorate the anniversary. Among them were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and the leaders of Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Leaders from Albania, Britain, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Turkey participated via video link, with no immediate indication of U.S. representation.

Visitors gathered in Kyiv’s central square to honor Ukrainian soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, observing a moment of silence in front of a memorial adorned with flags. As discussions commenced later, air raid sirens echoed through the city, although no missile strikes occurred.

“In this struggle for survival, the fate of Ukraine is intertwined with that of Europe,” von der Leyen expressed on X.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the invasion by land, sea, and air, thousands of Ukrainian lives have been lost, and over six million people have sought refuge abroad, marking the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II.

The military toll has been severe, though exact figures remain closely guarded. Public estimates from Western intelligence sources vary significantly, but most suggest that both sides have suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties.

The impact of this tragedy is felt across Ukraine, with military funerals becoming a regular occurrence in both urban centers and remote villages. The population is weary from countless sleepless nights filled with air raid sirens.

‘THEY ARE TIRED’

The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 185 drones overnight, resulting in no substantial damage. In response, Kyiv claimed to have targeted Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery, continuing its efforts to undermine the enemy’s energy capabilities.

Ukrainian forces are contending with a numerically superior adversary, raising concerns about the future of crucial U.S. military support. It remains uncertain how much European allies could compensate if American assistance diminishes or ceases.

Evhen Kolosov, the chief medic for Ukraine’s Spartan brigade operating in the east, noted that the troops are experiencing significant psychological fatigue.

The ongoing struggle continues, yet those who have been present since the outset are experiencing significant fatigue, particularly on a psychological level, akin to the challenges faced by medical personnel. The situation is undeniably tough, but this is warfare; it was never promised to be simple.

Pavlo Klimkin, who served as Ukraine’s foreign minister from 2014 to 2019, emphasized the importance for Zelenskiy to maintain strategic connections with Washington while also strengthening ties with Europe and engaging with nations such as China and India. Klimkin expressed that he does not believe relations with Washington have deteriorated to a crisis level, despite the provocative statements from Trump.

“A tornado is not sustainable; it will eventually pass, but it is crucial not to exacerbate the situation in any way,” he remarked. Klimkin does not foresee a peace agreement this year that would align with Ukraine’s aspirations for a fair and enduring resolution, although he mentioned that elements of a ceasefire could be possible.

Central to the U.S. relationship is a proposed agreement that would potentially allow access to Ukraine’s mineral resources for the U.S., with Trump aiming to secure hundreds of billions of dollars to offset Washington’s support. Earlier this month, Zelenskiy declined to endorse a draft agreement, arguing that it did not serve Ukraine’s interests and lacked the necessary security assurances. A senior Ukrainian official indicated on Monday that discussions with the United States regarding the minerals deal are nearing completion, with most key aspects already settled.

U.S. negotiators, according to Reuters, have suggested the possibility of limiting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, which has been crucial for Kyiv’s military efforts.

Meanwhile, Trump has urged Ukraine to conduct a wartime election, seemingly aligning with Russia, which has consistently claimed that Zelenskiy is no longer a legitimate leader. Zelenskiy’s term was set to end last May; however, elections have not taken place due to the martial law imposed at the onset of the invasion, which prohibits such events. On Sunday,

Zelenskiy expressed his willingness to resign from the presidency if it would lead to peace, humorously proposing that he could trade his departure for Ukraine’s accession to NATO.