Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister says mineral deal with Washington nearly done
- By Ray Furlong
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has said that an agreement giving the United States access to her country's rare earth minerals is nearly ready.
"The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized," she wrote on social media today.
Her post follows comments by U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on CNN yesterday, saying a deal could be signed this week.
Zelenskyy said yesterday that a deal would require U.S. security guarantees. Stefanishyna did not refer to this.
"Peace Should Not Reward The Aggressor"
“We stand and we will stand with you side by side and shoulder to shoulder in the war, in the future peace negotiations, in the reconstruction and as a member state of the European Union,” European Council President Antonio Costa said in Kyiv.
“Only Ukraine can decide when conditions are met to start a peace negotiation. Peace cannot be a simple ceasefire, it needs to be a durable agreement, peace should not reward the aggressor.”
Leaders Pay Their Respects
- By RFE/RL
Russia Is, Without Doubt, The Aggressor - Podolyak
- By Current Time
In an interview with Current Time, Mykhailo Podolyak, President Zelenskyy's top adviser, reacted to the U.S. resolution at the UN -- to be discussed later today -- that does not call Russia the aggressor in the war.
"Russia is, without a doubt, the aggressor. The initiator of aggression is only Russia, The aggression was not provoked by Ukraine," he said.
"It's easy to see that no-one in Russia planned for the war to last three years. They were counting that it would be a lot quicker to get effective control of the entire territory of Ukraine," Podolyak added.
Trudeau gives frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his country's transfer of the first 5 billion dollars in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
He also added that Canada would transfer 25 LAV II infantry fighting vehicles, four F-16 flight simulators and landing systems, and ammunition. Trudeau is in Kyiv for events marking today's anniversary.
Your Questions Answered
More of your questions for Rostyslav Khotin, a senior editor in RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, to answer.
How would Ukraine feel about accepting German troops on its territory to aid its defence?
I believe there would be no problems for Ukrainians if Germany decided to send a contingent for a military mission in Ukraine. Yes, the memory of the Second World War exists, but Ukrainians look at modern Germany as a partner and ally.
The problem of the possible presence of German troops wold be for Russia (it is generally against any Western troops in Ukraine). And it will also be a difficult psychological choice for Germany itself. But if Ukrainians drive German Leopard tanks, then what is the problem with German soldiers - together with British, French, and others?
In Kazakhstan’s Main City, A Russian Staged A One-Man Protest In Support of Ukraine. It Lasted Less Than 20 Minutes
Timofei Morozov, a Russian man living in Kazakhstan’s commercial capital, Almaty, decided to make the third anniversary of the Russian invasion by showing solidarity with Ukraine.
He drew up a sign, in blue and yellow – the colors of the Ukrainian flag – with the words “Ukraine Will Be Victorious. Russia Will Be Free.” He stood on a square in central Almaty.
In a brief interview, Morozov, who said he moved to Kazakhstan last year, said he felt obliged to stage the protest.
“I demand a just world for Ukraine and that can happen only if Ukraine receives all its [occupied] territories back and receives reliable security guarantees.”
He stood with his sign for about 20 minutes before police approached him and warned him to stop. A third officer then ordered him to a police precinct station.
VIDEO: RFE/RL Frontline Reporters Reflect On 3 Years Of Russia's Full-Scale War On Ukraine
- By Ray Furlong
RFE/RL correspondents Maryan Kushnir and Yevhenia Kytaiva-Rusetska have spent much of the last three years on the front line, producing insightful and sometimes disturbing reports on the realities of the trenches.
In this video, they reflect on their experiences.
Pro-Ukraine Protest in Taiwan Outside De-Facto Russian Embassy
Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian embassy in Taipei on the eve of today's anniversary.
The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position. China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification with the mainland.
Those parallels have grown since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.
So far, the Trump administration has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan.
Zelenskyy proposes mass prisoner swap
- By Ray Furlong
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a mass exchange of prisoners with Russia.
Speaking at a conference in Kyiv with EU leaders, he said it could be a confidence building measure.
But he also voiced doubts about the prospects for peace talks with Russia.
"Putin will not gift us peace. He will not exchange it for something. We have to reach peace through strength, wisdom, and unity."