Foreign leaders have joined Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv as he marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Speaking at the Support Ukraine event - which hosted leaders including Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen - Mr Zelensky expressed his gratitude and respect for their support.
Russia is targeting the “European way of life”, he told leaders, adding that Ukraine and Europe “must be at the negotiating table”.
Mr Zelensky also emphasised the importance of security guarantees in a peace settlement, noting 25 instances of Russian violations of the ceasefire signed in 2014, after Russia and its allied militant groups seized Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine.
“Peace can only be a consequence of weighted diplomacy and concrete security guarantees,” he reiterated.
It comes after he marked the “three years of absolute heroism” in Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s war in a post on X. “I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it,” he added.
Elsewhere, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said explosions at its Marseille consulate show “all the hallmarks of terrorism”. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded an “exhaustive and prompt” investigation by French authorities.
Key Points
- Explosions at Russian consulate in Marseille - Russian Foreign Ministry
- Ukraine has more friends than ever before - Zelensky
- Boris Johnson visits Ukraine and hits out at Trump's 'bizarre untruths'
- Foreign leaders arrive in Kyiv for third anniversary Ukraine invasion
- Zelensky praises ‘three years of resistance’ against Putin’s forces
- Russia to reject Trumps push for quick ceasefire, report says
Molotov cocktails used in Russian consulate explosions - report
10:38
,
Alex Croft
More details are emerging about the explosions at the Russian consulate in Marseille.
Two projectiles were thrown at the perimeter wall of Russia's consulate in the southern French port city of Marseille on Monday, one of which exploded, a French security source confirmed to Reuters.
BFMTV reported that the projectiles were Molotov cocktails and that they landed in the garden of the consulate.
The security source added that no one was injured in the explosions.
Russia has said the incident looks like an act of terrorism and has called for a full French investigation, state news agency TASS reported.
"The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack," TASS quoted Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.
Ukraine will triumph but should not do it alone - Trudeau
10:17
,
Alex Croft
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the Support Ukraine event in Kyiv today.
“Regardless of the great distance separating out two countries, Canada knows this is not a war that we can afford to ignore,” he said.
“This is a war of aggression on Ukraine’s people, culture, identity and very existence.
“But it’s also a war on our way of life. It’s a war on democracy, on the rule of law, on self determination, a war on justice and a war on truth.
“Ukrainians will triumph because Ukrainians are fighting for what is right. But they cannot and should not do it alone.”
Trudeau condemns Russia’s ‘disgusting war crimes’
10:13
,
Alex Croft
Canadian prime minister has condemned Russia’s forced deportation of children as a “disgusting war crime”.
In a speech at the event in Ukraine to mark the war’s third anniversary, he said: “Ukrainians have list their lives fighting courageously for their land. Children taken from their families, and homes, and commutes, which is a disgusting war crime.
“And violence subjected to prisoners of war taken by Russia.”
Mr Trudeau also announced a boost in military and financial support to Ukraine, including first installment of $5 billion from frozen Russian assets and a grant to help Ukraine maintain its energy security, will also be soon issued.
10:05
EU agrees fresh round of sanctions
10:01
,
Alex Croft
The European Union has agreed to impose fresh sanctions on Russia as it marks its support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion.
"We have to support Ukraine right now, more than ever," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The 16th sanctions package against Russia, agreed on Monday, includes a ban on primary aluminium imports and sales of gaming consoles, as well as listing owners and operators of 74 so-called shadow fleet vessels used to evade sanctions.
It came ahead of a number of meetings in Brussels, Kyiv and Washington this week.
Ukraine hits Russian oil refinery hit overnight
09:40
,
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian military said on Monday its drone forces hit Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery overnight, with at least five explosions in the vicinity.
A fire started at the refinery, which supplies Russian troops, the military said.
A separate Russian oil depot was hit in the Tula region.
Russia has violated 2014 ceasefire 25 times - Zelensky
09:31
,
Alex Croft
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia has a history of violating ceasefires in Ukraine - and therefore security guarantees are required in any peace settlement.
Peace will “not work without security guarantees”, he says.
“Reliable, sustainable peace can only be at the front. We know that starting from 2014, Russia has violated the ceasefire 25 times,” Mr Zelensky added.
He reveals that he gave Keith Kellogg - the Trump administration’s Ukraine envoy - a document listing all of Russia’s ceasefire violations since 2014.
“Therefore peace can only be a consequence of weighted diplomacy and concrete security guarantees,” he reiterated.
Russia is targeting the European way of life - Zelensky
09:27
,
Alex Croft
Volodymyr Zelensky is again emphasising that peace can only be established with Ukraine at the negotiating table
He tells world leaders that Russia’s ultimate target is the European way of life.
“Ukraine must be at the negotiating table together with Europe,” Mr Zelensky says.
“Russia’s strategic target is Europe, the European way of life and security. Ukraine and Europe together with the US must be at the table.”
Ukraine has more friends than ever before - Zelensky
09:25
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his respect for the Ukrainien people and Kyiv’s international allies.
“We have more friends in the world than ever before. Nobody in the world believes the Russian lies about our country and our people, even those who became Russia’s allies in the war.
“They understand really what and whom they support. They can make different steps, they can earn some money through their relations with Russia now, but they will never respect.
“Our respect now [is] for Ukrainian men and women,” he says, also expressing his respect for the countries who have supported Kyiv militarily and financially “for the sake of peace”.
“This year must become the year of the beginning of reliable peace. Putin will never give us this peace, he will never exchange it for anything, we have to ensure it and get it through our unity and joint work.”
Zelensky speaking with allied leaders
09:16
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking with the leaders of countries at a ‘Support Ukraine’ event.
We’ll bring you the key lines as they come in.
Watch live: President Zelensky welcomes world leaders to 'Support Ukraine' event
09:08
,
Alex Croft
Breaking: Marseille Russian consulate explosion branded ‘terrorist attack’ by Moscow
09:03
,
Alex Croft
Russia has said that its consulate in Marseille has been hit by an explosion ‘with all the hallmarks of a terror attack’.
Russia's consul general in the southern French city Stanislav Oranskiy said on Monday there had been a blast inside the consulate, Russian news outlet RBC reported.
French media earlier reported that an explosion was heard near the Russian consulate in the southern port city and firemen were at the site.
Read Sam Rkaina’s breaking news report:
Explosions at Russian consulate in Marseille - Russian Foreign Ministry
08:46
,
Alex Croft
Reports are emerging of explosions at the Russian consulate general in Marseille.
The explosions have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS news agency.
Three explosive devices were thrown into the territory of the consulate, the consulate general said according to TASS. One did not explode and there were no casualties.
French media earlier reported explosions heard near the consulate and said the fire service was on site.
Moscow has demanded France use exhaustive resources to investigate the explosions.
Boris Johnson visits Ukraine and hits out at Trump's 'bizarre untruths'
08:40
,
Alex Croft
Boris Johnson has revealed he is in Ukraine on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion.
“I am proud to be here in Kyiv on the third anniversary of Putin’s invasion,” he said in a post on X.
The former prime minister, a staunch supporter if Kyiv’s defense after war broke out in February 2022, also hit out at US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine started the war - while not explicitly calling out Trump.
He wrote: “I salute the continuing heroism of the Ukrainian people in resisting a vile act of unprovoked aggression and I categorically reject the bizarre untruths currently being peddled about the origins of that war.
“I urge people to keep cool and look at the facts of the continuing US support for Ukraine, under Donald Trump, and I remain convinced that Ukraine will have a great future as a free sovereign and independent nation.”
Merz: Now more than ever, we must support Ukraine
08:29
,
Alex Croft
Friedrich Merz, the man highly likely to become Germany’s next chancellor after yesterday’s election, has spoken out on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Three years of Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Three years of war in Europe,” he wrote on X on Monday morning.
“For three years, we have been accompanied by the terrible images of destruction and war crimes. 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.”
Approach to the Russia-Ukraine war is one of the crucial points of contention between the centre-right CDU/CSU and far-right AfD, with the former ruling out a coalition.
Drei Jahre russischer Angriffskrieg gegen die #Ukraine. Drei Jahre Krieg in Europa. Seit drei Jahren begleiten uns die schrecklichen Bilder von Zerstörung und Kriegsverbrechen. Europa steht unverändert fest an der Seite der Ukraine. Es gilt mehr denn je: Wir müssen die Ukraine in…
— Friedrich Merz (@_FriedrichMerz) February 24, 2025
Watch: Boris Johnson says US and Ukraine 'very close' to signing minerals deal
08:16
,
Alex Croft
Foreign leaders arrive in Kyiv for third anniversary Ukraine invasion
07:17
,
Shweta Sharma
A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine's capital on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion.
The visitors, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Ukraine to attend anniversary events and discuss supporting the country with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The anniversary was being marked as US policies on Russia and Ukraine shift under President Donald Trump.
Hungary says it will not consent to more arms supplies for Ukraine ahead of UN vote
07:05
,
Shweta Sharma
Hungary's foreign minister said the country will not contribute to sanctions against Russians or to paying more money for arms transport to Ukraine ahead of the UN vote.
Péter Szijjártó said there is a chance for peace after three years of war and his country holds the position that only an American-Russian agreement could end the conflict.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is widely regarded as the EU's most pro-Russian leader.
The UN General Assembly is expected to vote Monday on dueling resolutions — Ukraine's European-backed proposal demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the country and a US call for a swift end to the war that does not mention Moscow's aggression.
Zelensky praises ‘three years of resistance’ against Putin’s forces
06:35
,
Shweta Sharma
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky praised three years of resistance against Russia’s war in Ukraine as the country marked the third anniversary of the invasion on Monday.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it,” he said in a post on X.
“Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal.”
Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it. Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people… pic.twitter.com/HeNMpJX891
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2025
Pope says Ukraine war anniversary is 'painful and shameful' for all humanity
06:07
,
Shweta Sharma
The Vatican has released a statement on behalf of Pope Francis, who is recovering in a hospital, calling the third anniversary of the war "a painful and shameful occasion for all humanity”.
"Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the full-scale war against Ukraine: a painful and shameful occasion for all of humanity!
"He remembered "martyred Ukraine."
"As I renew my solidarity with the martyred Ukrainian people," the Pope reminded, "I invite you to remember the victims of all armed conflicts and to pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel, and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, in Kivu, and in Sudan."
The 88-year-old pontiff is in critical condition and blood tests showed early kidney failure but he remains alert, responsive and attended Mass, the Vatican said on Sunday update.
Watch: Zelensky says he is not offended by Trump calling him a dictator
06:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukrainians gather in Belfast to mark third anniversary of Ukraine war
05:49
,
Shweta Sharma
Ukrainians arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital, for a special event held on the third anniversary of the invasion.
A minute of silence was observed for those who have lost their lives in the war since it began on 24 February 2022.
The event was organised by the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group where people shared their own stories of loss and personal experiences of the war.
Dawson Stelfox MBE DL was pleased to bring HM Lord Lieutenant's warm greetings and good wishes to Belfast and NI's Ukrainian community as they marked the third anniversary of war in their country and, continued to fundraise for an ambulance for use on the frontline. @ukraniansinn pic.twitter.com/w8M0RRFm8q
— BelfastLieutenancy (@BLieutenancy) February 23, 2025
Ukrainian drone attack sparks fire at industrial site in Russia's Ryazan region, governor says
05:38
,
Shweta Sharma
Falling debris from destroyed Ukrainian drones sparked a fire at an industrial enterprise in Russia's Ryazan region, the governor of the region southeast of Moscow said on Monday.
"According to preliminary information, there were no injuries, material damage is being assessed," governor Pavel Malkov said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
Mr Malkov did not say what enterprise was on fire. Baza, a news Telegram channel that is close to Russia's security services, reported that Ukrainian drones targeted the Ryazan oil refinery, which is owned by Rosneft.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Ukraine war in numbers: Full toll of Russia’s invasion, three years on
05:22
,
Shweta Sharma
Three years after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion, Ukraine still faces a very uncertain future.
Just one month after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the US president has thrown whatever hopes Kyiv had for future American support into chaos.
In the last week alone he has launched repeated attacks on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, falsely branding him a “dictator” and wrongly accusing Ukraine of “starting” the war.
And so Ukraine now finds itself fighting a war on two fronts: the grind against the Russian invaders to the east, and the battle to keep Mr Trump on side to the west.
Read our full report.
Russia to reject Trumps push for quick ceasefire, report says
05:19
,
Shweta Sharma
Russia recognises the efforts by the United States to move towards a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, but that is unacceptable for Moscow and threatens serious consequences for Russia-US relations, RIA news agency reported on Monday.
"We can recognise with sufficient confidence the desire of the American side to move towards a quick ceasefire," RIA cited Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying in remarks published on Monday.
"But ... a ceasefire without a long-term settlement is the path to a swift resumption of fighting and a resumption of the conflict with even more serious consequences, including consequences for Russian-American relations. We do not want this."
Ukrainians gather in Dublin for third anniversary of Russian invasion
05:00
,
Tara Cobham
Hundreds of Ukrainians have marched through Dublin’s streets to mark three years since Russia’s invasion.
The crowd held signs criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump as demonstrators thanked Ireland for hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
Relations between the US and Europe have been strained after Mr Trump launched hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.
Read more here:
UK to ban more individuals with Kremlin links
04:13
,
Shweta Sharma
Britain will ban entry to individuals who provide significant support to the Russian state or owe their wealth to the Russian state, under new sanctions set to be announced on Monday, exactly three years after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Individuals with access to the highest levels of Russian government will also be included in the ban, the UK government said. They could include some senior politicians, government officials and business people.
The new measures would complement Britain's existing sanctions against Russian "elites" who were supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin's war effort, it said.
British security minister Dan Jarvis said his message to Putin's friends in Moscow was simple: "You are not welcome in the UK."
"The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war," he said in a statement.
British prime minister Keir Starmer will travel to Washington on Thursday to discuss the war in Ukraine with president Donald Trump.
Zelensky refuses to acknowledge that Ukraine owes US $500 billion
04:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he refused to acknowledge that Ukraine owed the US $500 billion for the wartime aid that Washington has provided to Kyiv, a figure often cited by US president Donald Trump.
Zelensky said on Sunday that grants should not be treated as loans.
Starmer to address world leaders to mark Ukraine war anniversary
03:42
,
Shweta Sharma
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to join world leaders in a call hosted by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion as the UK announces toughened measures against the Kremlin.
The prime minister reiterated Britain's "ironclad" backing for Kyiv in a series of conversations with allies over the weekend as he prepares to make the case for safeguards to protect the country's sovereignty on his visit to the US this week.
On Monday, which marks three years since Moscow's full-scale invasion, he is expected to address leaders from the G7 and across Europe as part of a group call in a show of solidarity amid fragile transatlantic relations.
Meanwhile, the Home Office announced a move to widen travel sanctions for Kremlin-linked elites in a bid to heap more pressure on Russia as the war enters its fourth year.
Local and federal politicians as well as managers or directors of large Russian companies will face exclusion from the UK under the rules, which come on top of existing travel bans on high-profile business figures such as Roman Abramovich.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Keeping the Ukrainians in their fight and as strong as possible at any negotiating table is critical not only for them, but for the security of the UK.
"These new measures send a powerful message that we will do what it takes to turn the tables on Putin's aggression."
The prime minister will seek to position the UK as a bridge between Europe and America on his visit next week as tensions simmer after Mr Trump hit out at Mr Zelensky and White House officials met Kremlin counterparts to discuss ending the war.
He held his second call in three days with the Ukrainian president on Sunday, promising he would be "progressing important discussions" about Kyiv's security on his visit to Washington.
US pressures Ukraine to drop its UN resolution demanding Russian forces withdraw
03:07
,
Shweta Sharma
The United States has urged Ukraine to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces in favour of a US-proposed draft that omits any mention of Moscow’s invasion, a US official and a European diplomat said on Sunday.
However, Ukraine has refused to withdraw its resolution, and the UN General Assembly is set to vote on it on Monday, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, according to two European diplomats.
Following this, the 193-member General Assembly is expected to vote on the US draft resolution, the diplomats and the US official said, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to ongoing private negotiations.
The Trump administration is also pushing for a vote on its proposal in the more influential US Security Council. The 15-member council is scheduled to meet on Ukraine on Monday afternoon, with a vote planned immediately afterward. However, European diplomats indicated that the vote could be postponed to Tuesday at Russia’s request.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio emphasised the urgency of the moment, stating on Friday that "this is the time to commit to ending the war. This is our opportunity to build real momentum toward peace."
Zelensky says US troop deployment in Ukraine logical if minerals deal works as security guarantees
03:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a US troop deployment in Ukraine is logical if a minerals deal between the countries is treated as security guarantees.
Zelensky also said on Sunday that about $15 billion of previously pledged US military aid was yet to be delivered.
Watch: 'We are ready to share,' says Zelensky on resources deal with US in exchange for security
02:00
,
Tara Cobham
Zelensky says minerals deal cannot work if US asks Ukraine to return money already given
01:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that a minerals deal with the US could not work if it asked Ukraine to return the value of aid already given by Washington.
Zelensky calls false statements about his ratings and US aid 'dangerous'
00:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said false statements about his ratings and amounts of US aid are dangerous steps to weaken Ukraine.
Ukraine can fight until end of 2025 with European support, Poland says
Sunday 23 February 2025 23:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukraine can keep fighting Russia for the rest of the year with European support, Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski has said.
"Ukraine can fight on its own with our European support for the rest of this year, and I think Putin has to take this into account," Sikorski told CNN in an interview on Sunday.
Asked if his impression after talking to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was that Ukraine would be offered security guarantees by Washington, Sikorski said the best guarantee for Ukraine was its almost million-man army, resisting Russian aggression.
"If you'd asked me three years ago where Ukraine and Russia would be in this war in three years' time, I don't think either of us would have guessed that Russia would only capture 20 percent of Ukraine's territory," Sikorski said.
"But if we are to have a durable peace, it has to be one that both sides can live with, above all, the victim of aggression."
Zelensky says Trump's team sees ceasefire as end of war
Sunday 23 February 2025 22:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he believed US President Donald Trump's team saw a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia as the end of the war.
Kyiv has long argued that it needs to see a long-term resolution to the war for it to feel secure due to the threat of a renewed Russian attack.
US expects mineral deal with Ukraine to be signed this week
Sunday 23 February 2025 21:00
,
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and treasury secretary Scott Bessent have said on Sunday they expected that an agreement would be signed this week on US access to Ukraine's critical mineral deposits.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wavered "in his commitment towards that a week ago," Witkoff said in a CNN 'State of the Union' interview on Sunday, referring to the Ukrainian leader's rejection of the original US proposal. "The president [Trump] sent the message to him. He's not wavering any more."
Zelensky realised "that we have done so much [for Ukraine] ... and I think you'll see it [the deal] signed this week," continued Witkoff.
Zelensky had previously rejected US demands for $500 billion in mineral wealth from Ukraine to repay Washington for wartime aid, saying the US had supplied nowhere near that sum.
"The deal will be signed," Bessent said in an interview on Fox News on Sunday, adding he was "hopeful" it will happen in the coming week.
The Ukrainian president's chief of staff said on Sunday that the next round of negotiations with the US over a deal will continue.
Starmer tells NATO secretary general there could be 'no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine'
Sunday 23 February 2025 20:15
,
Bryony Gooch
Sir Keir Starmer and the Nato secretary-general agreed there could be "no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine" in a call on Sunday evening.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister spoke with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte this evening.
"Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia's barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Prime Minister began by underscoring that Ukraine must be in the strongest position possible.
"The leaders agreed that there could be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine. They agreed it was important for Europe to step up in order to ensure European security.
"The Prime Minister said he would continue to have these vital discussions with international partners, including during his visit to Washington DC.
"They agreed to speak soon."
Comment: Why I support The Independent’s campaign to oppose Donald Trump’s assault on democracy and liberty
Sunday 23 February 2025 20:00
,
Ed Davey
None of us will ever forget where we were on that grim morning three years ago when Vladimir Putin began his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As footage of missile strikes raining down on Ukrainian cities played on screens, it felt at times as if Putin might have struck a decisive blow not just against Ukraine, but against the democratic values we share with our Ukrainian friends.
It felt like a weak and divided West – still reeling from the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan months prior, and, in the case of Europe, still addicted to cheap Russian gas – would struggle to unite and provide Ukrainians with the support they needed.
But Putin underestimated the deep strength of the ideals that we share with our allies, including Ukraine, and the power of those fundamental values: democracy, truth, and liberty. We were able to come together and enable brave Ukrainians to repel Putin’s advances, and even to reclaim some of their territory.
Read more here: