Third anniversary in Kyiv: Europe wants to set an example for Ukraine

The fate of Europe is at stake, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday in the Ukrainian capital. It was not the first time she said this sentence in Kyiv . In fact, her solidarity visit to the Ukrainian capital was already the ninth since February 2022. She brought all kinds of guests with her on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion. EU Council President António Costa, Parliament President Roberta Metsola and ten heads of state and government also traveled to Kyiv. Another 24 were connected to a meeting via video.

In her speech, von der Leyen emphasized the major role of European states in supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom. "So far, the European Union and its member states have supported Ukraine with a total of 134 billion euros." That is more help than anyone else has provided, she said - probably also addressing US President Donald Trump .

The President of the European Commission pointed to previous successes. European funds had been used to close Ukraine 's budget gap for 2025. In the future, the focus will be on the "rapid procurement of weapons and ammunition". In addition, von der Leyen announced that a new payment of 3.5 billion euros would be made in March. This is a loan that will be repaid with interest income from the safekeeping of frozen Russian assets.

The Commission President also announced that the Ukrainian and Moldovan electricity markets will be fully integrated into the European electricity market by the end of 2026. According to von der Leyen, autocrats around the world are watching closely to see whether invading their neighbouring country and violating borders will go unpunished. "An investment in Ukraine's sovereignty is an investment in preventing future wars." A "just and lasting peace" can only be achieved through strength. That is why the EU will strengthen the Ukrainian economy and energy supply and continue to train and equip troops.

In Kyiv, von der Leyen expressed at least vague hopes for a rapid and successful conclusion of the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine. "I really appreciate the political will that exists," she said of the government's reform efforts in Kyiv. If these continued at the same pace, the country could "perhaps" join the EU before 2030. EU Council President Costa called a possible accession the most important security guarantee for Ukraine's future.

Heads of state and government from Spain, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway and Sweden were also in Kyiv in person. Together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , they lit candles and laid flowers in front of a memorial for the fallen soldiers on the Maidan in the city center that morning.

Meanwhile, it was said from Kiev that negotiations on a raw materials agreement with the USA were well advanced. "The Ukrainian and American teams are in the final phase of negotiations on the minerals agreement," said Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna on Monday. The talks have so far been "constructive and almost all important details have been clarified."

The day before, President Zelenskyj had explained in a press conference why he had not signed the raw materials agreement. The draft had "not met the requirements". Zelenskyj said that oil and gas could be discussed, but at the same time it must be clear that Ukraine would receive security guarantees in return. Zelenskyj also rejected the alleged total amount of American aid of 500 billion dollars.

He criticized Washington for retrospectively declaring its own aid payments to be loans. "We cannot recognize financial aid as debt," he said. Probably in response to accusations by American President Trump, who had called Zelensky a dictator, the Ukrainian president offered his resignation in exchange for his country's accession to NATO. Security guarantees for Ukraine are a priority and joining NATO is the best option, Zelensky said in a speech on Sunday. He has no intention of ruling for decades.

Meanwhile, Russian air attacks are continuing, even against cities far from the front. There was another massive drone attack on Monday night. The Ukrainian military said that the air defenses were able to shoot down 113 of a total of 185 drones. 71 drones disappeared from radar and were probably intercepted by electronic air defense. Only on Sunday, Ukraine reported the largest Russian drone attack since the start of the war, speaking of 267 attack drones. Meanwhile, Kiev reported that a Russian oil refinery in Ryazan had been damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Ankara on Monday - six days after he met with Zelensky at the same location. Erdoğan is trying to position himself as a mediator or host of future peace talks. This is aimed on the one hand at the domestic audience, which likes to see Turkey as an emerging regional power. On the other hand, Ankara wants to underline its strategic importance for the Europeans.

In a video message on the third anniversary of the start of the war, Erdoğan also expressed positions that were received with favor by the European side in view of the American about-face. He spoke out "vehemently" for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The path "to a fair and lasting peace" is only possible if "both sides of the war are equally and fairly represented." A European diplomat in Ankara nevertheless noted that it was regrettable that Erdoğan did not speak of "Turkey and the European Union" as part of the solution. In view of Trump's actions, the Turkish mediation offer is considered to have little chance of success anyway.

Lavrov said at the press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that Russia would continue the "process" with the American government and praised the American position as "coherent." Fidan spoke of a "result-oriented" and "weighty" initiative by Trump. Turkey hopes for an improvement in relations with Washington and is clearly trying not to upset Trump.