Kiev, 24 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to his country's resistance on Monday, as Ukraine marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

"I am proud of Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on Telegram, commemorating the soldiers who died in battle.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov meanwhile emphasized the country's will to continue fighting. "Ukrainian warriors fight for every metre of our land," he wrote on X, adding that "the whole country is working towards Victory."

Umerov called on the West to support Ukraine until the last Russian occupier has left the country. "To win, we need decisive action from our allies," he said.

"Today, Ukraine is a strong shield of Europe. We have stopped an enemy that threatens the entire democratic world," Umerov wrote. "Our victory is the security of the entire free world."

Umerov noted that Ukraine could be an asset for NATO, as Kiev continues to strive for membership of the military alliance. "Our experience in modern warfare is invaluable for NATO, and our defence industry is a reliable partner for the Alliance," the minister wrote on X.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in the early hours of February 24, 2022. Including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, Russia now controls about 20% of Ukraine's territory.

Kiev's European allies pledge support

Ukraine's European partners used the occasion to demonstrate their support for Kiev, with European Commission President Ursula announcing more support.

"Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine in this critical moment," von der Leyen said at a gathering of international leaders in the Ukrainian capital.

In addition to von der Leyen, a number of Western leaders visited Kiev on Monday in a show of solidarity, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The European Union is to disburse an aid payment for Ukraine worth €3.5 billion ($3.7 billion) in March rather than later this year, von der Leyen said.

She also pledged further measures to increase the energy security of Ukraine and the EU.

Speaking ahead of her scheduled meeting with Zelensky, von der Leyen announced a comprehensive plan to scale up European arms production and defence capabilities, to be presented at an EU leaders's summit on March 6 in Brussels.

"The suffering Russia has inflicted on Ukraine is cruel and unjustifiable," said European Council President Antonio Costa in Kiev.

"We were here with you from day one," he added.

"We stand — and we will stand — with you, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. In the war, in future peace negotiations, in the reconstruction and as a member state of the European Union," Costa said.

US change of course

The visits come after diplomatic relations between Kiev and Washington have taken a drastic turn.

EU countries and Ukraine are alarmed by the prospect of the US and Russia seeking a peace settlement bilaterally which could grant Moscow territorial concessions, exclude Ukraine from NATO, and close the door on US participation in future peacekeeping operations.

EU foreign ministers, gathered for regular talks in Brussels on Monday, adopted a 16th package of sanctions on Russia.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that "Zelensky is an elected leader, elected in free and fair elections."

US President Donald Trump recently accused Zelensky of being a "dictator" since he had not held elections in recent years.

Ukrainians were due to head to the polls in 2024 but Ukrainian law does not allow presidential elections to be held when martial law is in effect.

"Of course, during a wartime, you can't have elections," Kallas stated, adding that many national constitutions provide for this.

Russia responds to sanctions

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia sees no basis for resuming dialog with the EU, following the latest sanctions decision out of Brussels.

"The Europeans are continuing on the path of sanctions - in the conviction that the war must continue," Peskov said.

"This conviction on the part of the Europeans is in complete contrast to the mood of finding a way to resolve the conflict over Ukraine, as we are now doing with the Americans," he added. 

According to information from Moscow, the talks with the US will continue this week. Russia has repeatedly alleged that, unlike other states, the EU has so far made no attempt to resolve the conflict diplomatically.

Ukraine attacks refinery in Russia

The conflict continued unabated, with Ukraine attacking an oil refinery in Russia overnight, according to Russian social media reports.

Telegram channels reported that a fire had broken out at the refinery in Ryazan, south-east of Moscow, following a drone strike. Regional governor Pavel Malkov posted on Telegram that the fire had occurred at a factory site and was caused by debris from a downed drone.

Media reports indicated that this was the third fire at the refinery this year following a drone attack.

Take-offs and landings were temporarily suspended for safety reasons at the airports in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, according to the aviation authority.

The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 22 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and destroyed overnight in the regions of Oryol, Bryansk, Ryazan and over the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.

In Ukraine, air raid alerts were triggered overnight. In the maritime city of Odessa, port infrastructure was attacked, according to local authorities.

Ukrainian air defences reported that Moscow launched 185 drones, of which 113 were shot down. The location of 71 drones could not be tracked, likely due to electronic countermeasures.

Erdoğan offers to organize peace talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday once again offered to organize negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Turkey, a NATO country with ties to both Ukraine and Russia, would be happy to host and mediate, Erdoğan said, adding that it had been discussed during Zelensky's visit to Ankara last week.

Putin, Xi praise ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping praised the friendship between their countries in a telephone conversation held on Monday's anniversary of the war.

History and reality had shown that Russia and China are good neighbours and "true friends" who support each other, Xi said, according to Chinese state television.

Photo: EPA