Putin and Russians do not want to end war in Ukraine

The Russian military is really on its last breath. What we're seeing is they basically cannot maintain offensive combat power. The best they can do is just feed men into this meat grinder and gain almost no territory.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with investment platform Saxo, Mr Kinzinger, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, said

Russia will only end combat operations when negotiations end in a way that satisfies Russia".

The Russian state TV channel summarised Lavrov's statements

I don't want to give up Ukrainian lands... we've been fighting for so long,

he told AFP on the eve of the anniversary

In this war, you don't count days, weeks, numbers, or any dates,

said Mykola, a 38-year-old gun commander stationed in the eastern Donetsk region

It scares me more. Because the bloodiest moments always come before a truce,

said Andrii, a 25-year-old serving with Ukraine's army in the east

In Ukraine, about Ukraine, with Ukraine."

In an apparent rebuke of Trump's moves to sideline Kyiv from talks on how to end the war, EU Council President Antonio Costa said

You cannot be weak in the face of President Putin."

He said

Friedrich Merzconservative leader

More than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength."

Coming off his victory in Sunday's German elections, conservative leader Friedrich Merz — also a staunch backer of Ukraine — posted on X Monday

Kaja Kallasforeign Affairs and Security Policy

You can discuss whatever you want with Putin. But if it comes to Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,

Kallas told reporters in Brussels

We are living a defining moment for Ukraine and European security,

he said in a post on social media

For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations,

he wrote

The autocrats around the world are watching very carefully whether there's any impunity if you violate international borders or invade your neighbor, or if there is true deterrence,

she said

Unfortunately, the Russian unprovoked war continues and Ukraine still needs international support more than ever,

Ivanchov said

Today we mark three years of Russian barbaric invasion of Ukraine and unprecedented of a large-scale war that [Vladimir] Putin unleashed on the European continent,

Serhiy Ivanchov, the consulate general of Ukraine in New York, told the crowd

We have gathered to remember a very solemn day that many of us will never be able to wrench from our hearts, hearts that many of us will never be able to put together,

Andrij Dobriansky, director of communications and media for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America said

I’m very proud of my country that we have withstood for three years,

said Wilson, who moved to New York 10 years ago

Mr President, I voted three times for you. I am a Republican, but Mr President, Putin is the dictator, not Zelenskyy. Russia started the war, not Ukraine,

he told the crowd

The evening of February 23 I was going about my usual chores when I glanced at the television,

said Taran, who moved to New York eight years ago

And so it began, ... the war that upended millions of lives in a matter of hours, Friday morning, and the war that we as Ukrainian Americans have been fighting in our own way ever since”.

he continued

Sergei Ryabkovrussian Deputy Foreign Minister

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,

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA news agency on Monday