Irpin's Iconic Bridge
- By Ray Furlong
The main shot on our live blog is current residents of Irpin holding a memorial event beneath a bridge.
The bridge became an iconic location after it was destroyed in Russian shelling at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Our colleagues filmed civilians desperately trying to flee across the wreckage.
Tears At Kyiv's War Memorials
- By RFE/RL
People have been grieving at the memorials in Kyiv to fallen soldiers.
A Polish Volunteer Remembers Fallen Comrades In Kyiv
Among the people mourning the dead in central Kyiv today, Slawomir, a volunteer from Poland.
"I put the first flags there back in '22. Now there are more than 50 Polish flags. These are not only Poles who came from Poland, but also Poles who lived in Ukraine. There are flags for everyone," Slawomir told RFE/RL. "And memory for those Poles, Ukrainian Poles, who also gave their lives for a free Ukraine. For three years of war, 11 years of actual war in Ukraine."
He was referring to the conflict that Russia began in the Donbas region in 2014, before it began its full-scale invasion in 2022.
VIDEO: 'We Are In Shock': Ukrainians React To U.S-Russia Talks Without Ukraine
As Ukrainians mark the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of their country, people in Kyiv told Current Time about their concerns over the state of talks to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump recently traded criticism after U.S. and Russian officials held talks on Ukraine that excluded Kyiv.
Your Questions Answered
Why would Zelenskyy step down after years of leading Ukraine to victory?
Zelenskyy, who has led Ukraine throughout Russia's full-scale invasion, has no legal obligation to step down as president.
Yes, his five-year term was due to expire in May 2024. But the Constitution of Ukraine says that elections cannot be held under martial law, which has been in place since Russia launched the invasion in February 2022. It has been extended by parliament many times, most recently until May 9, 2025.
Zelenskyy may have been bluffing when he told a press conference on February 23 that he would give up his position to bring peace, saying it could be in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO. He also may have wanted to again emphasize the need for strong Western security guarantees.
All indications from his circle are that Zelenskyy would seek a second term if an election were held.
According to a survey last Friday, two-thirds of Ukrainians still trust him.
Zelenskyy would probably beat all his potential challengers – expect maybe for the current ambassador to London, former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces General Valery Zaluzhny, who has not so far declared any intention to run.
Macron Arrives For Talks With Trump
- By Ray Furlong
The hectic diplomacy continues with French President Emmanuel Macron arriving for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
European leaders have been unnerved by remarks from Trump and senior administration figures in the last week or so. There's particular concern that Washington may be willing to sideline Europe, and possibly also Ukraine, as it prioritizes a deal with Russia.
That will make this a closely watched meeting. It begins with virtual talks with other G7 leaders. Later, Trump and Macron will hold a news conference.
North Korean Defense Minister Hit In New Sanctions On Russia
- By Ray Furlong
European countries have marked today's anniversary with new sanctions on Russia.
Britain has just announced sanctions on more than 100 people and entities. These include "producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics, and dual-use goods for Russia’s military," according to an official statement.
The sanctions extend beyond Russia to hit actors in third countries such as Central Asian states, Turkey, Thailand, India, and China, and also North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol.
Earlier, the European Union unveiled its 16th sanctions package on Russia since Moscow launched the full-scale invasion in 2022. It includes measures against Russia's "shadow fleet" of vessels used to evade sanctions on shipping, as well as on 53 entities that the EU says are "supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex."
President of Moldova Calls For 'Just Peace' For Ukraine
Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine and caught in the push-and-pull between Moscow and the EU, has been battered by political uncertainty for years.
Russia’s Ukraine invasion only deepened its worries.
Speaking to a summit of European leaders in Kyiv, President Maiu Sandu voiced support for Ukraine and called for a "just peace" for the country.
"Ukrainians' courage has kept, and keeps, Moldova safe," she said. "We will always be grateful."
Peace for Ukraine "must be just and lasting," she said. Moldova supports these efforts "because it is not just about Ukraine, it is about all of us."
Sandu won reelection last October, during a vote that also featured a referendum on Moldova’s eventual membership of the European Union. The measure passed by a smaller margin that supporters had hoped.
Russia has a small contingent of military troops stationed in the breakaway region of Transdniestr, which has run its own affairs -- with Russian backing -- since the early 1990s.
Ukraine War 'A Struggle For Freedom,' Kyrgyz Activist Says
Activists gathered at the Ukrainian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, to commemorate the victims of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“We should not view [this war] narrowly as a Russian-Ukrainian conflict. If we look at it broadly, it is a struggle for freedom and territorial integrity," said Rita Karasartova, a prominent Kyrgyz human rights activist. "If we justify Russia’s war, then tomorrow, our neighboring countries might seize the opportunity to invade and occupy under the pretext of ‘protecting their people’ in our state.”
Weeks after Russia launched the full-scale invasion, several local activists who protested outside the Russian Embassy in Bishkek were detained by police and fined. The Kyrgyz authorities then banned protests in front of the Russian Embassy.
War 'Cannot Be Stopped' Say Mothers Of Fallen Soldiers In Kyiv
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service spoke to the mothers of Ukrainian soldiers who had died on the battlefield about their views on a potential cease-fire.
"God, no!," says Hanna Tarapata, who lost her son Yuriy. "What did those people, our sons, fathers, husbands, brothers, sisters, give their lives for? For what? For freezing the conflict so it could still be there when my grandchildren [will have to join the fight]? I don't want that, I've already lost a lot."
Rayisa Pivnenko is also visiting her son’s grave in Kyiv.
“No matter how painful it is, if we freeze the war now, in three years my grandchildren will go to war again. And it will not stop. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how many guys die, it simply cannot be stopped. Because they (the fallen soldiers) will rise up and say: What did we fight for, whom did we defend?”
Viktoria Oleksiyenko lost her son Denys.
“I think that the aggressor still does not respect many things. And, frankly, we have already been given guarantees, but they have not been fulfilled. I think we need to demand more weapons to protect ourselves. We should drive this enemy out of our country. Then they won't come back next time. Otherwise they will keep on busting in. The greatest guarantee is to expel this evil from our land and arm ourselves.”
