Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s video statement, refusing to leave Kyiv, on the first night of Russia’s full-scale invasion, February 24, 2022

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Trump Ditches Ukraine — Can Europe Step Up?

Sunday’s Coverage: UK’s Starmer — “Safeguarding Ukraine’s Sovereignty is Essential”

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1752 GMT:

Donald Trump has indicated that he will soon lift sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Trump posted:

I am in serious discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia concerning the ending of the War, and also major Economic Development transactions which will take place between the United States and Russia. Talks are proceeding very well!

Kirill Dimitriev, Putin’s point man for removing the American restrictions, responded, “Russia is open for US-Russia economic cooperation and believes such cooperation is key for more resilient global economy.”

UPDATE 1732 GMT:

The Trump Administration has been forced to abstain in a UN General Assembly vote on Monday on the resolution which it drafted, refusing to cite “Russian aggression” on the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The US draft also made no reference to Ukrainian territorial integrity or sovereignty.

Amendments to the US resolution included references to the Russian invasion and to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in line with the founding UN Charter, and a reaffirmation of the UN’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

The amended resolution was adopted 93-8 with 73 abstentions.

The General Assembly also adopted the resolution drafted by Ukraine and European countries, which the US tried to overtake with its version, by 93-18 with 65 abstentions.

The US, Israel, Hungary, Russia, and Belarus all voted No.

UPDATE 1718 GMT:

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has told the Kyiv conference that it is not Russia who decides on European Union membership. It is the European Union who does that.

It is not Russia that decides on NATO membership, Stubb continued. It is the alliance itself.

It is not Russia who decides on what Ukraine has by its border, when, where, and how.

And he said that it is not Russia who decides on European security arrangements: “We already have a European security order and should stick to it.”

Speaking via video link, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised Volodymyr Zelensky’s “resilience and courage”.

Mitsotakis said it was not only critical that Ukraine participated in a peace settlement “as it has the right to decide on its future” but that the sacrifices of Ukrainians were not taken for granted.

Only Ukraine “can, should, and will decide on accepting or rejecting any peace formula”, he said.

UPDATE 1611 GMT:

“Three industry sources” says the Rosneft oil refinery in the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, has been shut down after a Ukrainian drone attack.

The complex has been hit three times in recent weeks.

Ukraine’s military acknowledged responsibility for the latest strike, saying there were five explosions. The main crude distillation unit at the refinery, CDU-6 — which produces about half of Ryazan’s output — caught fire.

One source said the plant may partly reopen within several days.

UPDATE 1557 GMT:

The UK has announced 107 new sanctions against Russia and its supporters, its largest package since the early days of the February 2022 full-scale invasion.

The measures target Russian military supply chains, revenues fuelling Vladimir Putin’s “illegal war”, and businessmen and officials driving profits for the Kremlin.

Those sanctioned include producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods for Russia’s military. The firms are based in Central Asian states, Turkey, Thailand, India and China, the “largest supplier of critical goods for Russia’s military”.

North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and other North Korean generals and senior officials are cited for deploying more than 11,000 of Pyongyang’s troops to Russia.

Another 13 Russian idnividuals and firms are added to the list.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it is using new powers for the first time to target foreign financial institutions supporting Russia’s invasion. The Kyrgyzstan-based OJSC Keremet Bank is named.

European leaders have issued statements of solidarity at the “Support Ukraine” gathering in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said inviting Ukraine into NATO is “the strongest security guarantee, the easiest way forward [and] the cheapest way forward”.

Meanwhile, she cautioned, Europe only two months to take decisions on defense spending amid the detachment of the Trump Administration.

I know that some allies are against this. Therefore I ask the question, if we cannot give [Ukraine] membership of NATO – and I think it’s the only way forward – then we have to find another way to provide Ukraine with a clear, long-term security guarantee.

Europe has to step up arms production, the Prime Minister said, as “a ceasefire without a sustainable peace will cause a lot of danger to all of us”.

“It’s time to stand up for Ukraine, and it’s time to stand up for Europe,” she summarized.

Austria’s Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said, “Being neutral doesn’t prevent Austria to having a very clear stance on this issue.”

It is clear this brutal war must stop. The earlier the better. And like any war, it has to end at the negotiating table, with all parties concerned sitting at the table. But it must not end under any circumstances – and I don’t believe it will – as an imposed peace.

He emphasized, “One thing has to be crystal clear. Negotiations on Ukraine must include Ukraine, just as talks on the European security must include all concerned parties in Europe.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez added:

Difficult months lie ahead, but I am convinced that at the end of this terrible period, freedom and democracy will prevail over violence and authoritarianism.

Whatever happens in the coming months, Ukrainians accession to the European Union is the most important victory for the Ukrainian people.

Assuring “we will not let you down when you need us the most”, he announced a new military support package for Ukraine worth €1 billion.

Away from the conference, Irish Taioseach Micheál Martin said that, despite Dublin’s neutrality, it would “contribute more financially on all fronts and in all areas”.

Ireland will support further sanctions against Russia: “Those who engage in illegal and brutal invasions, and who breach the very basics of international rules and sovereignty, have to know that ultimately there has to be a price for the destruction.”

He explained:

For a small country like Ireland, the international rules based order is ultimately the only basis for our security. And that is why the war, [where] Ukraine has been defending its integrity and sovereignty, is so important for small nations all over the world. You are protecting and fighting to uphold the principles of the UN Charter.

UPDATE 1106 GMT:

The European Union has officially approved its 16th package of sanctions against Russia over Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The new measures ban imports of Russian aluminum and target Russia’s banks, “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, and other sectors.

“For three years now, Russia has relentlessly bombed Ukraine, attempting to steal land that isn’t theirs to take,” the EU’s foreign policy head Kaja Kallas said. “There is no doubt about who the aggressor is, who should pay and be held accountable for this war. Every sanction package deprives the Kremlin of funds to wage war.”

The package was adopted despite the threat of Hungary, led by Vladimir Putin’s ally Viktor Orbán, to cast a veto.

In a joint statement, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said:

In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine….

Three years ago Russia started its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s brutal war deliberately targets civilian and critical infrastructure. Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population. We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed.

The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support, including reconstruction of the country after the war.

We have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defence industry production, and we will continue to increase our capacity. This will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defense readiness and European sovereignty.

UPDATE 1028 GMT:

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff — involved in the direct US-Russia talks — blames Ukraine and NATO for the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion:

UPDATE 1004 GMT:

Christopher Miller of London’s Financial Times posts:

UPDATE 0931 GMT:

Friedrich Merz, almost certain to be Germany’s next Chancellor, has posted:

Europe remains firmly on the side of Ukraine.

Now more than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength. For a just peace, the attacked country must be part of peace negotiations.

Merz’s Christian Democrats and its ally Bavaria’s CSU won almost 30% of the vote in Germany’s national election on Sunday. The SPD, the party of current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was in third with 16% behind the far-right AfD.

Merz also said that Europe must establish the resources and capabilities to be independent of Washington, amid the Trump Administration’s dissolution of the US-Europe alliance.

UPDATE 0833 GMT:

Russia has pushed back on Donald Trump’s ambition for a quick deal over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said the first direct US-Russia talks last week did not offer greater clarity about Trump’s “peace plan”.

Ryabkov implicitly pushed the Kremlin’s demands for no security guarantees for Kyiv, “As of today, we have no further understanding….We need to find a long-term solution, which, in turn, must necessarily include an element of overcoming the root causes of what happened in and around Ukraine.”

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, visiting Turkey, emphasized Russia’s demands for long-term occupation of part of a demilitarized and “neutral” Ukraine.

He said the Kremlin is ready to negotiate with both Ukraine and Europe, but its military actions will only cease if the outcome is satisfactory to Russia.

Lavrov declared that many more countries had become “realistic”, as last week’s US-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia raised the hope of ”normal dialogue” between the two countries.

UPDATE 0827 GMT:

Australia has announced its most extensive sanctions measures against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Canberra has added 70 individuals to its travel ban list, imposed sanctions on 79 companies, and steps up targeted financial restrictions.

The measures target individuals and entities involved in strengthening military ties between Russia and North Korea; those supporting Russia’s occupation administrations in Ukraine; and those responsible for sexual violence in wartime and the abduction of Ukrainian children.

UPDATE 0720 GMT:

Ukraine President Voldoymyr Zelensky has posted on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion:

UPDATE 0716 GMT:

Air defenses downed 113 of 185 drones launched by Russia overnight across 12 Ukrainian regions. Another 71 were lost to electronic counter-measures.

UPDATE 0707 GMT:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged Donald Trump to ensure any peace agreement for Ukraine includes security guarantees and prevents further Russian aggression.

During a phone call on Saturday, Trudeau emphasized that any deal must not be seen as appeasement by Vladimir Putin, as this could encourage further Russian attempts to seize territory in eastern Europe and the Baltic States.

UPDATE 0704 GMT:

Sweden is sending air defense systems worth 1.2 billion Swedish krona ($113.1 million) to Ukraine.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced the transfer of the Robot 70 and Tridon Mk2 systems.

On January 30, Stockholm confirmed its largest aid package during Russia’s invasion, with more than $1.2 billion in 16 CB90 combat boats with weapons stations, a million rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, 146 trucks, 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles, and 200 AT4 anti-tank launchers.

UPDATE 0640 GMT:

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has posted upon arrival in Kyiv:

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine and its partners are marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as the Trump Administration threatens to enable Vladimir Putin’s assault.

European leaders will visit Kyiv in solidarity on Monday. They include Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; European Council head António Costa; and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also be in the Ukrainian capital.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington hoping to persuade the Administration to resume support of Ukraine’s security.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on Sunday:

NATO is the most cost-effective option for preventing another war. It is the simplest and most logical solution.

If Ukraine does not join NATO, we will have to create NATO within Ukraine, which means maintaining an army strong enough to repel aggression, financing it, producing and storing enough of our own weapons, and negotiating with our partners about their participation to deter Russia from starting another war.

That’s why we are talking about a comprehensive system of security guarantees — military, economic, and political. We need to weigh everything — what is cheaper, what is more realistic, and what can be done faster.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky told a forum in Kyiv that he would be “happy” to give up office “if it is for the peace of Ukraine”: “If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine.”

The President again rejected immediate acceptance of Trump’s demand that Ukraine hand over $500 billion in rare earth minerals, “I’m not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians are going to pay later.”

He said the Administration is asking Ukraine to pay back $2 for every $1 of future US military aid.

Trump Administration Refuses to Condemn Russia’s Aggression

But the Trump Administration continued its refusal to condemn the invasion, blocking international resolutions and insisting on acceptance of its own.

An unnamed US official and European diplomat confirmed pressure on Kyiv to abandon the draft UN resolution which cites “Russian aggression”. Instead, the Administration is seeking votes for its alternative, which merely calls for a “swift end” to the “conflict” and makes no reference to Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

The Administration has also prevented acceptance by the G7 of a statement citing Moscow’s aggression.

On Fox TV on Sunday, National Security Council Mike Waltz avoided any condemnation of the Kremlin by praising Donald Trump:

Donald Trump had declared that a second set of direct US-Russia talks over Moscow’s invasion will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said, “There is no meeting between Russia and the US planned for February 25 in Riyadh.”

Ryabkov had previously said that US and Russian officials plan to meet again at some point in the next two weeks.

On Sunday, Russia launched its largest drone assault of the full-scale invasion. Air defenses downed 138 of 267 UAVs luanched on 13 regions, while 119 were lost to electronic counter-warfare.

Russia also fired three ballistic missiles.

At least three civilians were killed and nine injured.