On Monday, a meeting of EU foreign ministers reportedly approved a 16th package of sanctions against Russia while saying a swift casefire that favors Moscow will not be accepted. However, Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban has remained close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has persistently complicated EU efforts to support Ukraine, said it will not back further sanctions. The country’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also said his country will not agree to a boost in EU military aid as US President Donald Trump continues his push to force Ukraine to agree to a peace deal with Russia. US officials met their Russian counterparts last week, while Trump and Zelenskyy have embarked on a bitter spat via the media, with the US leader accusing Kyiv of starting the war and questioning the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy. Trump’s peace plan, which appears designed to illustrate his self-appointed role as a global dealmaker, faces resistance on both sides. Russia said on Monday that the quick end to the war is “unacceptable”. 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-US relations,” Moscow’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. Meanwhile, Ukraine signalled on Sunday that a contentious proposal that would hand Washington $500bn worth of profits from Ukrainian rare minerals has now been taken off the table, and that talks on a different deal are progressing. Zelenskyy also told a forum in Kyiv that he would resign his post if that meant peace was achieved.

As Ukraine marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, leaders from the European Union and Canada have gathered in a show of solidarity.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, seizing more than 2% of Ukrainian territory. The war has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the nation’s “heroism” as he welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among other senior officials. However, no representative from the United States was present, highlighting growing uncertainty over Washington’s support.

“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians,” said Zelenskyy. “I thank everyone who defends and supports it.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during the gathering.

“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she wrote in a social media post.

With the potential reduction or halt of U.S. military aid, leaders of the 27-member bloc are set to convene on March 6 for a special summit to make key decisions regarding Ukraine and European defense.

On Monday, EU foreign ministers reportedly approved a 16th package of sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that a swift ceasefire favoring Moscow would not be accepted.

However, Hungary, led by Viktor Orban, who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and consistently complicated EU support for Ukraine, opposed further sanctions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also stated that the country would not agree to an increase in EU military aid, aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine to accept a peace deal with Russia.

Last week, U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts, while Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in a public dispute, with Trump accusing Kyiv of initiating the war and questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.

Trump’s proposed peace plan, which seeks to reinforce his reputation as a global dealmaker, has faced resistance from both sides.

Russia, meanwhile, declared on Monday that a rapid end to the war is “unacceptable,” warning that a ceasefire without a long-term resolution would only lead to renewed conflict with even greater consequences, including for U.S.-Russia relations, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov via state-run RIA Novosti.

Meanwhile, Ukraine announced on Sunday that a controversial proposal allowing the U.S. to claim $500 billion in profits from Ukrainian rare minerals is no longer under consideration, with discussions on an alternative deal progressing.

Zelenskyy also stated at a forum in Kyiv that he would step down if it meant securing peace.

“If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine,” he said.