Today marks three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During these three years, Putin's troops have relentlessly besieged Ukrainians, achieving significant victories and conquering territories, especially in the east of the country. Meanwhile, Ukraine has managed to keep its capital, Kiev, out of Putin's grasp and in August of last year launched a counterattack seizing Russian territories in the border region of Kursk. Tonight, Russian forces have once again bombed Ukraine with 185 drones.
On this third anniversary, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is in Kiev accompanied by 24 of her 27 commissioners and the President of the European Council, António Costa, in a visit aimed at reaffirming the EU's support for Ukraine.
This highlighted date comes in a context marked by unilateral contacts initiated by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump with Russia. The positive tone shown by Trump towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his reproaches and threats to Zelenski, are reasons for growing concern in Kiev and major European capitals.
Albares Insists Peace "Cannot Reward the Aggressor" on Anniversary of Russian Invasion
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, stated on Monday that the peace negotiated for Ukraine "cannot reward the Russian aggressor" and demanded that both the democratically elected government of Ukraine and European countries sit at the negotiating table, as "everything we are and believe in" is at stake, as reported by Efe.
"Everything we are and everything we Europeans believe in is at stake: our values, our security. We will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary for peace to come, but it must be a peace that distinguishes between the victim and the aggressor, which cannot reward the aggressor," said Albares upon his return from a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
This means, he added, that it must be a "comprehensive and lasting" peace in which both the Government of Ukraine and European countries are seated at the table and give their consent.
The EU Calls for Maintaining "Transatlantic Solidarity" with Ukraine on War Anniversary
The leaders of the European Union institutions called on Monday to maintain "transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine" to achieve a peace based on the formula proposed by Kiev as the war marks its third anniversary and amid controversy over talks between the United States and Russia to end the conflict, as reported by Efe.
"In a difficult international and geopolitical environment, we emphasize the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine. We highlight the need to ensure that the international community remains focused on supporting Ukraine to achieve a broad, fair, and lasting peace based on Ukraine's peace formula," they said in a statement.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stressed that "Russia and its leaders bear unique responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population" and called for them to "be held accountable for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed."
The EU Extends Sanctions to Russia's Ghost Fleet and Bans Aluminum Imports from Russia
The European Union (EU) formally approved more sanctions against the so-called Russian "ghost fleet" on Monday, which helps the Kremlin evade restrictions on oil trade, and a ban on aluminum imports from Russia, among other measures due to the war in Ukraine, as reported by Efe.
The EU Foreign Ministers Council today endorsed the sixteenth package of sanctions against Russia since the country began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine exactly three years ago.
German Friedrich Merz Calls for Ukraine to be Part of "Peace Negotiations"
The winner of the German legislative elections, Friedrich Merz, demanded on Monday that Ukraine be part of "peace negotiations" to end the war on its soil, while the United States engages in direct dialogue with Russia without paying attention to Kiev, as reported by Afp.
"To achieve a just peace, the attacked country must participate in peace negotiations," stated the leader of the German conservatives, who has all the possibilities of becoming the next chancellor, replacing Olaf Scholz.
The EU Imposes New Sanctions on Russia
The EU Foreign Ministers approved on Monday a sixteenth package of sanctions against Russia, as reported by two diplomats, according to Reuters.
Last week, diplomats said the sanctions would include a ban on primary aluminum imports, the sale of gaming consoles, and the inclusion of 73 ships in the shadow fleet.
Pedro Sánchez Arrives in Kiev to Attend International Summit in Support of Ukraine
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, arrived in Kiev on Monday to participate in the International Summit organized to support Ukraine.
"Three years after the start of the Russian aggression, our commitment to the Ukrainian people remains intact. Already in Kyiv (Kiev), to participate in the International Summit in support of Ukraine," Sánchez expressed on his X account.
"Spain stands with Ukraine," emphasized the government leader, highlighting this visit as the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is commemorated.
Ukraine to Receive a New Payment of 3.5 Billion Euros from the EU in March
Ukraine will receive a new payment of 3.5 billion euros from the European Union in March, announced European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen during a visit to Kiev on Monday, as reported by Reuters.
Von der Leyen stated that Ukraine will also benefit from the EU's plans to increase arms production and European defense capabilities.
Ukrainian Population in Spain Grows More than Triple Since the War Began
The number of Ukrainians with residence permits in Spain has more than tripled since the Russian invasion began in this country, rising from 96,880 at the end of 2021 to 313,221 by the end of 2024, mainly due to temporary protection authorizations, as reported by Efe.
72% of the total have this permit, an exceptional mechanism of the European Union created in 2001 but not activated until this war began, allowing immediate residence and work for one year - extendable up to three - without the need to seek asylum.
These are data from the Permanent Immigration Observatory of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, collected by EFE on Monday, as the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is commemorated.
Russia Shoots Down 22 Ukrainian Drones over Three of Its Regions and Annexed Crimea
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 22 Ukrainian drones last night over three of its regions and the annexed Crimean peninsula, reported the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel on the third anniversary of the war, as reported by Efe.
According to the military report, 16 of the unmanned aircraft shot down last night were destroyed over the Oryol region, located about 40 kilometers from the nearest point of the Ukrainian border. The remaining drones were shot down over the Bryansk (3) and Ryazan (2) regions, and the Crimea peninsula (1).
Feijóo Gathers Former Foreign and Defense Ministers of the PP and Diplomats to Analyze EU-Russia Relations
The leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, will meet on Monday with six former Foreign and Defense Ministers, as well as several diplomats and international experts to analyze the evolution of the conflict between Russia and the European Union, as reported by Europa Press.
In the morning, he will meet with former Defense Ministers María Dolores de Cospedal, Federico Trillo, Pedro Morenés, and Eduardo Serra; former Foreign Ministers José Manuel García-Margallo and Ana Palacio; Admiral General Fernando García-Sánchez; analysts Florentino Portero and Mira Milosevic; and diplomats Nicolás Pascual de la Parte and Ramón Gil-Casares.
Also present at tomorrow's meeting will be the party's Secretary-General, Cuca Gamarra; the Institutional Vice-Secretary, Esteban González Pons; the PP spokesperson in the European Parliament, Dolors Montserrat; and the PP's International Policy Secretary, Ildefonso Castro.
Australia and New Zealand Announce Sanctions against Russia
The governments of Australia and New Zealand reaffirmed their support for Ukraine on Monday and announced new sanctions against Russia, targeting over 200 individuals and entities in total, on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of the neighboring country, as reported by Efe.
"Australia has been clear from day one that Russia, and those who allowed the illegal invasion, will face consequences," stated Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement.