Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskyy hails three years of Ukrainian ‘heroism, resistance’

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Monday, hailed “Three years of resistance” and the “absolute heroism” of Ukrainians in the war against Russia’s invasion.

In a post on X, he wrote, “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 be eternal.”

His post came as EU leaders, including the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kyiv in a show of support.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda have also arrived by train on Monday.

António Costa, president of the European Council, wrote: “In Ukraine, about Ukraine, with Ukraine,” as he arrived in the capital.

The meeting comes at a time of fragile and fragmenting transatlantic relations, with the UN set to vote on rival resolutions from Ukraine and the US urging an end to the war. In a diplomatic note sent on Sunday and reviewed by Reuters, the US described its brief resolution as “a forward-looking resolution focused on one simple idea: ending the war” and asks countries to “vote no on any other resolution or amendments presented” during Monday’s meeting of the security council.

The US resolution was “simple [and] historic,” US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said on Friday, however, a draft text made no reference to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Agence France-Press reported.

In contrast, Ukraine and more than 50 other states are planning to introduce a text before the wider General Assembly saying it is “urgent” to end the war this year and repeating the assembly’s previous demands: an immediate cessation of Russian hostilities and an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch what he called a “special military operation” set off the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Tens of thousands of soldiers – from both sides – and Ukrainian civilians have been killed, cities across the country’s south and east have been flattened and millions forced to flee their homes.

But three years after the West rallied behind Ukraine and Zelenskyy, Trump’s return to the White House has threatened to upend that coalition of support and has brought vital military and financial aid into question at a critical juncture in the war.

Russian troops are still advancing across the east and Moscow has been emboldened by Trump’s diplomatic outreach and his scepticism over long-term support for Kyiv.