Ukraine-Russia 3 years war highlights: Trump suggests Ukraine war could end 'within weeks'

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth year, the  three years of conflict  have wreaked havoc on both nation’s economies. Not only this, but the war, sanctions and trade restrictions that came with it also impacted global trade in a significant manner. Amid all these challenges and during three years, both Russia and Ukraine relied on their allies in harsh times.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are discussing “major” economic deals as part of discussions on ending the war started by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I am in serious discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia concerning the ending of the War, and also major Economic Development transactions which will take place between the United States and Russia. Talks are proceeding very well!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Read more here .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Donald Trump during the Group of Seven (G7) online meeting today.

“As for Donald Trump… We have just had a conversation. It was a very good conversation within the framework of the G7 meeting led by Canada,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by Kyiv Independent.

US President Donald Trump stated that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are negotiating “major” economic deals as part of efforts to end the war triggered by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I am in serious discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia concerning the ending of the War, and also major Economic Development transactions which will take place between the United States and Russia. Talks are proceeding very well!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

His big revelation comes on the day of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin’s new special envoy on international economic cooperation said Monday Russia was open to economic cooperation with the US.

Kirill Dmitriev said in a statement, “Russia is open for US-Russia economic cooperation and believes such cooperation is key for more resilient global economy.”

On Monday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis lauded his Ukrainian counterpart for showing “resilience and courage”.

Speaking from Athens via video link, Mitsotakis said:

“Three years after the invasion began, I think it is important to remember that the human toll has been immense. There has been so much suffering, so much destruction, so many lives that have been disrupted. It is imperative that we all work to bring this to an end and your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your people, dear Volodymyr, cannot be in vain. It is important to take a step back and recognise that your resilience, your courage, your personal courage has been remarkable.”

He added, “Only Ukraine can, should and will decide on accepting or rejecting any peace formula”.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday (February 24) proposed an “all for all” swap of prisoners of war with Russia to mark the “start” of the peace process. His proposal came on the day of third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war imposed by Russia’s Vladimir Putin in 2022.

While addressing a summit in Kyiv to mark the invasion’s anniversary, Zelenskyy said Russia must release all prisoners and Ukraine was also willing to do the same.

Read in detail here .

EU foreign ministers have approved a 16th round of  sanctions against Russia , targeting the cryptocurrency exchange for the first time to prevent Russia from using it to bypass Western sanctions.

Diplomatic sources indicated last week that the new measures include a ban on primary aluminum imports, restrictions on gaming console sales and the blacklisting of 73 vessels linked to the so-called shadow fleet used to evade sanctions.

The aluminum ban will be implemented gradually, allowing up to 275,000 tonnes of imports over the next year before taking full effect on February 26, 2026. Also, contracts signed before February 25 will be granted an exemption for up to 50,000 tonnes until the end of 2026.

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French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that Russia is the “aggressor” against Ukraine. He issued a statement ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The US president last week suggested that Kyiv started the war.

“For three years, Ukraine has fought with courage that commands respect against an aggressor, Russia,” Macron said on X. “Our support for Ukraine will remain unwavering. I am in Washington to reiterate this and move forward with President Trump and our allies.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ukraine must “definitely” be involved in the ongoing peace talks between US and Russia to end the three-year-old conflict.

“If results are to be obtained from the new process, Ukraine must definitely be included in the process and this war must be ended through mutual negotiations,” Erdogan said.

Responding to a reporter’s question, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes to finish war ‘this year’.

“We hope that we can finish the war this year.”

The sentiment was echoed by Canada PM Justin Trudeau. He said Canada will continue to support Kyiv until the war ends and Ukraine wins.

“It is very much my hope that this war won’t last another year,” he told a televised press conference.

On the third anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin was presented with a sword and a shield by Grand Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin on Monday.

During their meeting, Putin expressed his gratitude to Tadzhuddin and the Muslim community. Tadzhuddin also serves as the Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia.

Grand Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin presents a sword and a shield to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (Feb 24). Source: Reuters

My message to Ukraine today. pic.twitter.com/DWkCkIDTJi

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 24, 2025

Ukraine and the US are making progress on the mineral deal central to efforts to end Russia’s war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday.

Speaking from Kyiv via video link to G7 leaders, including President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy emphasized that both Europe and Ukraine must be part of the peace process.

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the White House for a critical meeting with President Trump.

UKRAINE: President Macron arrived at the White House to urge the president not to end the war; signaling his answer Trump didn’t greet him when he arrived. pic.twitter.com/RUpxdJP2dn

— @amuse (@amuse) February 24, 2025

EU leaders are looking to reach a deal on a new package of arms for Ukraine at an emergency summit next week, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Monday.

“The details, especially the numbers, will be decided and discussed at the extraordinary European summit on March 6,” she said. EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels “broadly supported the new initiative for military for Ukraine”, the diplomat added.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced she will travel to the United States on Tuesday for talks with her counterpart, Marco Rubio, as Washington seeks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“You can discuss whatever you want with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, but if it comes to Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,” Kallas told journalists Monday.

Turkey said it was willing to facilitate and host Ukraine-Russia peace talks, during a visit by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to Ankara.

“We are ready to contribute all forms of support for peace to be achieved through talks. We are ready to host these talks as we have done before,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Turkey, a NATO member, hosted early negotiations between the parties months after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, helping to broker a deal for the safe passage of grain exports in the Black Sea.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday Russia will only agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine if negotiations yield a “sustainable result” that meets its leadership’s demands.

His statement comes as the White House suggested a peace deal with Russia could be reached this week.

“The president (Vladimir Putin) has clearly said that we are ready to negotiate with Ukraine, with Europe, and with any representatives who, in a spirit of goodwill, would like to help achieve peace,” Lavrov claimed.

“But we will cease hostilities only when these negotiations produce a firm, sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation. Of course, the realities on the ground must be considered,” Lavrov added.

On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK government announced over 100 new sanctions against those supporting President Vladimir Putin’s war.

According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the measures target Russia’s military machine, third-party entities backing it, and critical supply networks.

The US-Ukraine talks over minerals are in their “final stages,” with “nearly all key details finalised,” revealed Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna earlier today.

“We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature,” Stefanishyna wrote on X.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday praised the Ukrainian people, expressing pride in their “absolute heroism” as they continue to fight and endure the war Russia began three years ago.

“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post. “Thank you to everyone who protects and helps it,” he added

An explosion was heard near the Russian consulate on Avenue Ambroise-Paré on Monday (February 24), marking a tense start to the day that coincides with the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The blast occurred inside the consulate, according to Sputnik, which cited Stanislav Oransky, the Russian Consul General in Marseille.

Reports indicate that unidentified attackers threw two Molotov cocktails into the consulate. Molotov cocktails are easy-to-make, hand-held incendiary weapons. They usually consist of a bottle filled with flammable liquid with a paper or cloth for igniting the flame.

Read more here.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed support for the US-proposed deal on Ukraine’s natural resources during an event in Kyiv earlier today.

“The deal should be signed,” Johnson said, adding, “It commits the US to a free and sovereign Ukraine. A continued American support is well worth the price for Ukraine.”

France’s President  Emmanuel Macron  arrived in Washington while European leaders headed to Ukraine to salvage whatever was left of their traditional alliances. The continent has decided to implement a two-pronged strategy which would aim to keep US President Donald Trump on their side while saving Ukraine from falling into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the same time.

The visits are coming after a week of reeling through the provocative remarks made by the members of the  Trump administration as they fear that the continent is getting excluded from a three-way peace talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. During his trip to Washington, Macron is scheduled to hold talks with Trump on Monday. Before heading to Washington Macron told reporters that he would try to convince Trump that letting Putin win in Ukraine would be “a huge strategic mistake.”

Read our report here .

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “a war on our way of life, democracy, the rule of law, and self-determination.”

“Ukrainians will triumph because Ukrainians are fighting for what is right, but they cannot and should not do it alone,” Trudeau said in Kyiv.

He added: “Ukrainians have lost their lives fighting courageously for their land, children [have been] taken from their families and homes and communities, which is a disgusting war crime.”

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

They were soon joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Other leaders in the capital include Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced his arrival, saying on X:

“I am proud to be here in Kyiv on the third anniversary of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s invasion. 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.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday afternoon (February 24) at Putin’s request, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The call, which took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, came as speculation grew about a possible meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump later this month. According to the Kremlin, their discussions could focus on global issues beyond Ukraine.

“China will always stand firmly on the side of peace, uphold an objective and fair position, and continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the crisis,” a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry read.