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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the “absolute heroism” of Ukrainian resistance against Russia’s war 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.”
Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov rejected a quick ceasefire without a settlement being pushed by the US and warned of serious consequences, including for Russia-America relations, if that happened.
“We can recognise with sufficient confidence the desire of the American side to move towards a quick ceasefire,” he was quoted as saying by state media RIA. “We do not want this.”
The US, meanwhile, was reportedly pressuring Ukraine to abandon its draft UN resolution against Russia’s war in the country ahead of a vote on Monday. An unnamed US official and a European diplomat told AP the US was pushing Ukraine to drop the resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces.
This came as Mr Zelensky said he was willing to step down in exchange for Nato membership.
Hungary says it will not consent to more arms supplies for Ukraine ahead of UN vote
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
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.”
Pope says Ukraine war anniversary is ‘painful and shameful’ for all humanity
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
Ukrainians gather in Belfast to mark third anniversary of Ukraine war
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.
Ukrainian drone attack sparks fire at industrial site in Russia’s Ryazan region, governor says
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
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
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
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.
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Source: independent.co.uk
