Quotes
It was at God’s will that this fate fell upon our shoulders to carry out such a challenging but honorable mission of defending Russia,
Putin told soldiers after a Kremlin ceremony where he awarded them state decorations
The Russian Army must be prepared for any development of the situation in the medium term, including a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade,
he wrote
While people understand Putin's influence is very high, the war has been going on for three years when they were promised it will take three weeks … When a new player enters here, Donald Trump, they probably expect it will make a difference."
Aleksei Miniailo, a Russian opposition politician and the founder of Chronicles, said
I think the Russians want to see the war end, I really do. I think they have the cards a little bit because they've taken a lot of territory."
U.S. President Donald Trump said on February 20Europe was in Kyiv 'because Ukraine is in Europe, ... In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake
von der Leyen wrote on X, adding
We will stop hostilities only when these negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation
Lavrov said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan FidanBut if ... if it comes to Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal,
Ms Kallas told reporters in Brussels, where she is chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers
Ukraine is ready to exchange all for all, and this is a fair way to start
ZelenskyThree years on from Putin's barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we face a once in a generation moment for our collective security and values, ... We continue to stand with Ukraine for a just and lasting peace.
he wrote on X
Putin hasn't had elections, or Russia hasn't had elections, in 25 years.
Kallas rejected Trump'If you look at the messages that come from the United States, then it's clear that the Russian narrative is there very strongly represented.
Asked whether the US administration is acting in the interests of Russia or Ukraine's Western backers, she saidWith the way that the Trump administration is handling this, I don’t think there’s much to be positive about,
said Sonia Mycak, a research fellow in Ukrainian studies at the Australian National University’s Centre for European Studies
It’s a war that has gone on for too long … and the human tragedy of it has been absolutely dreadful,
she told CNA’s Asia NowWhat President Trump completely doesn't acknowledge, and people of his ilk don't acknowledge – in his administration and some of his Republican colleagues – is that the United States and Western Europe owe Ukraine a great deal of gratitude and enormous debt of gratitude. They have been actually holding Russian imperialism at bay,
Fish addedThere are many, many questions about whether or not (Trump’s stance) is something that can stand up and provide some kind of lasting peace,
Hanson notedThat would be a very, very dangerous precedent set for the rest of the world,
she addedSo this so-called deal, whatever it ends up being, is not going to end the conflict in Ukraine. In fact, it could plant the seeds for a much greater conflict in the future,
he addedThose (are) three aspects, three non-negotiable points that (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy has consistently said needed to be a part of a peace deal,
she addedThis war is going to go on. The Ukrainians are not simply going to accept the loss of their territories,
he saidThe second thing to remember is that Putin is not interested in some lasting peace,
he said