Three Years of Russia-Ukraine War: A Look at Where Things Stand

As Ukraine completes three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the country finds itself in a complex global situation. The United States, under President Donald Trump , is trying to fast-track a peace deal with Russia but without Ukraine being part of the talks. This unexpected move has left Kyiv and its European allies in shock, forcing them to rethink their strategy.  

Europe, Canada Stand With Ukraine

On Monday, top leaders from Europe and Canada reached Kyiv to show their continued support for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and European Council President Antonio Costa were among those who met Ukrainian officials at the capital’s railway station.  

Von der Leyen made Europe’s stance clear, saying, “This fight is not just about Ukraine’s survival—it’s about Europe’s future.”  

These leaders held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on how to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses, especially at a time when Trump’s peace push with Russia has raised concerns about a possible deal that could go against Kyiv’s interests.  

Trump’s Direct Talks with Russia Worry Ukraine

Trump’s administration has taken an aggressive approach to ending the war, pushing for direct negotiations with Moscow. Over the weekend, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that high-level talks between US and Russian officials would continue in the coming days. Reports also suggest that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to hold a face-to-face meeting soon.  

Trump Calls Zelenskyy ‘Dictator’

Trump has also launched a sharp attack on Zelenskyy this week, calling him a ‘dictator without elections’ and accusing him of misleading the US into providing billions in aid. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said Kremlin-style rhetoric, alleging that Zelenskyy tricked the US into spending $350 billion on a war that ‘couldn’t be won and never had to start.’ He also claimed that without the US and his leadership, Zelenskyy would be unable to settle the conflict.

These developments have left Ukraine and Europe worried that Kyiv’s interests might be overlooked as Russia-US talks continued. European leaders are scrambling to counter Trump’s move, with the European Union calling for an emergency summit on March 6 in Brussels to discuss its Ukraine policy.  

UK Hits Russia with New Sanctions, Europe Reacts

As a counter to Trump’s diplomatic shift, the UK has announced fresh sanctions against Russia. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the measures aim to weaken Russia’s “military machine” and reduce its financial resources. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to visit Washington this week to understand Trump’s position and push for continued Western support for Ukraine.  

Ukraine Under Heavy Attack, Battlefield Losses Mount

While global diplomacy takes center stage, Ukraine remains under intense Russian attacks. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 113 Russian drones overnight, with Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, Kyiv, and Khmelnytskyi suffering damage. A day earlier, President Zelenskyy reported that Russia had launched 267 drones in a single attack—the highest number since the war began.  

On the battlefield, Ukraine has suffered significant territorial losses. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has lost around 11% of its land since 2022. If the land already lost to Russia since 2014—including Crimea and parts of Donbas—is factored in, Ukraine has lost a total of 18% of its territory.  

Human Cost: Refugees, Deaths on the Rise

Beyond the war zone, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. More than 6.3 million Ukrainians have fled to Europe, with Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic hosting the largest numbers. Another 1.2 million Ukrainians are currently in Russia.  

The human toll is staggering. According to the UN, over 40,000 civilians have been killed or injured in the conflict, many in relentless airstrikes and artillery shelling. Among the casualties are at least 6,203 men and 669 children.