The Latest: Ukraine marks third anniversary of war as US shifts its policy under Trump

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada are in Ukraine to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion and discuss support with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

U.S. policies on Russia and Ukraine are shifting dramatically under President Donald Trump. Questions about possible peace talks and Ukraine's interest in European Union and NATO membership loom large.

Here's the latest:

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has not discussed resolving the conflict in Ukraine in detail with Trump, and that Russian and U.S. negotiating teams didn't discuss it when they met in Saudi Arabia last week.

Putin also said Russia does not rule out European countries participating in a peace settlement. Earlier Monday, Trump said Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Putin has previously indicated Russia will not accept Western forces in Ukraine. Putin’s latest comments were broadcast on state television, and it is unclear when they were filmed.

WASHINGTON — Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential deal to end the war.

Trump spoke to reporters at the White House.

“Yeah, he will accept it,” Trump said. “I have asked him that question. Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for world war.”

WASHINGTON — Trump says he is hopeful the United States and Ukraine will soon come to terms on a rare earth minerals deal.

“It looks like we’re getting very close,” Trump told reporters. He added that Zelenskyy could potentially visit Washington this week or next to sign the deal.

But Trump did not say whether the emerging deal would include U.S. security guarantees. “Europe is going to make sure nothing happens,” he said.

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States has failed to get the U.N. General Assembly to approve its resolution seeking to end the war without mentioning Russian aggression.

The assembly amended the U.S. draft resolution to add language making clear that Russia invaded its smaller neighbor in violation of the U.N. Charter.

The non-binding vote in the 193-nation world body was 93-8 with 73 abstentions, with Ukraine voting “yes,” the U.S. abstaining and Russia voting “no.”

The U.N. General Assembly has approved a Ukrainian resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops.

The vote in the 193-member world body, whose resolutions are not legally binding, was 93-18 with 65 abstentions. That’s lower than previous resolutions that saw over 140 nations condemn Russia’s aggression and demand a reversal of its annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

KYIV, Ukraine — Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere says the seven Nordic and Baltic countries will train and equip a brigade of the Ukrainian army of between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers. And Norway will offer the equivalent of $11.2 million to strengthen Ukraine’s and Moldova’s energy systems.

KYIV, Ukraine — The head of the European Union's executive branch, Ursula von der Leyen, has praised Ukraine's progress toward bloc membership and held out the possibility of entry before 2030.

She emphasized the process of EU accession is “merit-based" and candidates must comply with conditions and enact reforms. But she added, “Ukraine’s merit-based process, if they continue at that speed and at that quality, perhaps they could be earlier than 2030.”

Russia opposes Ukraine joining the EU or NATO.

KYIV, Ukraine — Lithuanian Prime Minister Gitanas Nauseda says European countries will have to assess popular support for any European peacekeeping forces stationed in Ukraine to uphold any future peace agreement.

“We need clarity about the mandate of such forces on the soil of Ukraine,” he said. Nauseda said enforcement was vital and “first time the peace is violated or a ceasefire is violated, the retaliation must be immediate and strong.”

KYIV, Ukraine — The G7 group of leading industrialized nations is holding a virtual summit to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy has appealed to Trump for continued U.S. support.

“President Trump, we would really like to hear from you because all our people, all our families are very worried – will there be support from America? Will America be the leader of the free world?” he said.

Tensions between Kyiv and Washington have risen under the Trump administration. But Zelenskyy said the two sides are “working productively on the economic agreement” on rights to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals.

He also argued for allowing Ukraine to join NATO, which the Trump administration opposes, calling it the “most cost-effective” path.

KYIV, Ukraine — Finnish President Alexander Stubb urges European countries to take a more muscular role in developing a strategy for negotiations over Ukraine.

“In the past two weeks, when we’ve seen a shift in the trans-Atlantic partnership … we have to wake up to a new reality,” he said, in a reference to the Trump administration. “I think we in Europe, we need to get our act together,” he said, as "right now, the negotiations are happening above our heads without any kind of a planning strategy.”

KYIV, Ukraine — “We hope that we can finish this war this year,” Zelenskyy says.

He said Ukraine and its allies must create a security infrastructure that would act as a deterrent to future aggression. “If Ukraine will be in EU and NATO in closest years, of course it will help us very much, and I think that they will not come back,” he said.

KYIV, Ukraine — Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal warns that an “unjust peace” in Ukraine would threaten Europe and the broader world by demonstrating to other actors that aggression such as Russia’s is tolerated.

“An unjust peace probably would hit everybody, also the United States, because Iran, North Korea, everybody would assess that they can do whatever they want," said Michal, whose country borders Russia.

KYIV, Ukraine — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says any discussion of providing sanctions relief to Russia can only begin once Moscow has demonstrated it is committed to working with Western countries on achieving a lasting peace.

She told a conference in Kyiv with Western leaders that if not, "we will increase punitive sanctions against Russia.”

EU Council President Antonio Costa said European leaders welcomed Trump's effort to push Putin and Russia to negotiate, but “only Ukraine can decide when we have conditions to do this.”

LONDON — Britain has imposed sanctions on 107 businesses and individuals in what it calls its biggest package targeting Russia’s war machine since the early days of the conflict.

The measures target Russia’s military supply chains, including companies in several countries — notably China — that Britain says are supplying machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods for Russia’s military.

Fourteen wealthy Russian businesspeople get asset freezes and travel bans, including billionaire Roman Trotsenko.

The sanctions also target defense officials in North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russia against Ukraine.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — The governments in Sweden and Denmark have pledged more support for Ukraine as the Trump administration calls for Europe to spend more on its own defense.

The Swedish government said it will spend the equivalent of some $11.2 million on Robot 70 and Tridon Mk2 air defense systems to be donated to Ukraine. Sweden will contribute to a donation by some countries of portable air defense missiles. Denmark has pledged an equivalent of $280 million in ammunition for Ukraine.

TALLINN, Estonia — Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur says the country will never recognize borders that have been “moved by tanks and missiles."

"Estonia will help Ukrainians fight for their land and people, because the values ​​that Ukraine is currently fighting for are directly related to our values ​​and freedoms,” Pevkur said in Tallinn’s Freedom Square.

KYIV, Ukraine — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says his country will provide a 1 billion-euro ($1.05 billion) military systems package to Ukraine this year.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said NATO defense spending goals of 3% of gross domestic product are “simply not enough.” She said that European leaders have “a couple of months to take all necessary decisions, otherwise it will be too late."

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any peace negotiations and strong security guarantees in any settlement.

He reaffirmed that Britain is prepared to put troops on the ground as part of that process. He repeated his call for a U.S. backstop that “will be vital to deter Russia from launching another invasion in just a few years’ time.” However, Trump has so far shown little interest in the idea.

ANKARA, Turkey — Lavrov insists that Ukraine must be barred from NATO membership as part of talks to end the war.

“At the meeting in Riyadh with our American colleagues, we welcomed the fact that President Trump has publicly and repeatedly called the line on pulling Ukraine into NATO a mistake,” Lavrov said.

In July, a NATO summit declaration said Ukraine was on an “irreversible” path to membership. But in Brussels this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia.

KYIV, Ukraine — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the destinies of Ukraine and the European Union are at stake in discussions over how the war can end.

“The autocrats around the world are watching very carefully," she said.

Von der Leyen said securing Ukraine’s sovereignty would prevent future wars, and its “highly innovative and thriving defense industry” should be integrated into EU defense, with Ukraine as a member of the bloc.

She also said she would present a “comprehensive” investment plan to ramp up arms production and defense capabilities for the EU and Ukraine at an emergency meeting of EU leaders on March 6.

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has voiced support for U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine and renewed a Turkish offer to mediate talks.

“We attach great importance to the new initiative of the United States, as a result-oriented approach," Fidan said at a news conference with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh last week. He said Russian and U.S. officials would soon hold comprehensive consultations toward the “normalization of embassy operations” in Moscow and Washington.

Turkey has balanced its close ties to both Ukraine and Russia and positioned itself as one of the few countries that can hold talks with both sides. It hosted peace talks in 2022. No agreement was reached.

ANKARA, Turkey — Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Putin has made clear Russia is “ready to negotiate with both Ukraine and Europe” but will stop military hostilities only when negotiations yield a “firm, sustainable result” which suits Russia.

Lavrov suggested the position of Ukraine and European countries is changing frequently and that “against this background, the position of the United States stands out.”

KYIV, Ukraine — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pushed back on Russia's narrative, echoed in recent days by U.S. President Donald Trump, that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.

“This is a war started for one reason and one reason only: Russia’s desire to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire," Trudeau said.

KYIV, Ukraine — Finnish President Alexander Stubb says that “we will see a European Ukraine. We will see eventually Ukraine in NATO."

He also said Europe needs “to make clear to the Russians and everyone else that there are a few things that are completely off the table in these negotiations" to end the war in Ukraine. They include EU membership and NATO membership.

MOSCOW — Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia does not see any way to resume “dialogue with Europe” after the EU adopted its 16th round of sanctions against Moscow.

Peskov said that contrasts with searching for ways to resolve “the conflict around Ukraine, which is what we are currently doing with the Americans." He welcomed “attempts by Washington to really understand what was the root cause of this conflict.”

BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers have approved new sanctions against Russia which enter force on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

They include measures targeting Russia’s so-called “ shadow fleet ” of ships that it exploits to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or to carry stolen Ukrainian grain. The EU said 74 vessels were added to its list.

Asset freezes and travel bans were imposed on 83 officials and entities. More than 2,300 officials and entities have been hit since the invasion began, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a press conference after the "Support Ukraine" summit, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2025. (Gleb Garanich/Pool Photo via AP)

From second left by the table's sits: Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Latvia's President Edgars Rinkevics, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attend a press conference after the "Support Ukraine" summit, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2025. (Gleb Garanich/Pool Photo via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Office Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, greeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Office shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, greeting Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

A serviceman mourns at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Russian-Ukrainian War in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko)

People wave the Canadian and Ukrainian flags as they rally on Parliament Hill to mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in Ottawa, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

Denmark's Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen arrives in Kyiv on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, center, arrives at a train station on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

European Union and Ukrainian flags flap in the wind on the day to mark the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A group of Buddhist monks and their rescue dog are striding single file down country roads and highways across the South, captivating Americans nationwide and inspiring droves of locals to greet them along their route.

In their flowing saffron and ocher robes, the men are walking for peace. It's a meditative tradition more common in South Asian countries, and it's resonating now in the U.S., seemingly as a welcome respite from the conflict, trauma and politics dividing the nation.

Their journey began Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, and is scheduled to end in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they will ask Congress to recognize Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment as a federal holiday. Beyond promoting peace, their highest priority is connecting with people along the way.

“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s soft-spoken leader who is making the trek barefoot. He teaches about mindfulness, forgiveness and healing at every stop.

Preferring to sleep each night in tents pitched outdoors, the monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies, drawing huge crowds into churchyards, city halls and town squares across six states. Documenting their journey on social media, they — and their dog, Aloka — have racked up millions of followers online. On Saturday, thousands thronged in Columbia, South Carolina, where the monks chanted on the steps of the State House and received a proclamation from the city's mayor, Daniel Rickenmann.

At their stop Thursday in Saluda, South Carolina, Audrie Pearce joined the crowd lining Main Street. She had driven four hours from her village of Little River, and teared up as Pannakara handed her a flower.

“There’s something traumatic and heart-wrenching happening in our country every day,” said Pearce, who describes herself as spiritual, but not religious. “I looked into their eyes and I saw peace. They’re putting their bodies through such physical torture and yet they radiate peace.”

Hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, the 19 monks began their 2,300 mile (3,700 kilometer) trek at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth.

Their journey has not been without peril. On Nov. 19, as the monks were walking along U.S. Highway 90 near Dayton, Texas, their escort vehicle was hit by a distracted truck driver, injuring two monks. One of them lost his leg, reducing the group to 18.

This is Pannakara's first trek in the U.S., but he's walked across several South Asian countries, including a 112-day journey across India in 2022 where he first encountered Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog whose name means divine light in Sanskrit.

Then a stray, the dog followed him and other monks from Kolkata in eastern India all the way to the Nepal border. At one point, he fell critically ill and Pannakara scooped him up in his arms and cared for him until he recovered. Now, Aloka inspires him to keep going when he feels like giving up.

“I named him light because I want him to find the light of wisdom,” Pannakara said.

The monk's feet are now heavily bandaged because he's stepped on rocks, nails and glass along the way. His practice of mindfulness keeps him joyful despite the pain from these injuries, he said.

Still, traversing the southeast United States has presented unique challenges, and pounding pavement day after day has been brutal.

“In India, we can do shortcuts through paddy fields and farms, but we can’t do that here because there are a lot of private properties,” Pannakara said. “But what’s made it beautiful is how people have welcomed and hosted us in spite of not knowing who we are and what we believe.”

In Opelika, Alabama, the Rev. Patrick Hitchman-Craig hosted the monks on Christmas night at his United Methodist congregation.

He expected to see a small crowd, but about 1,000 people showed up, creating the feel of a block party. The monks seemed like the Magi, he said, appearing on Christ’s birthday.

“Anyone who is working for peace in the world in a way that is public and sacrificial is standing close to the heart of Jesus, whether or not they share our tradition,” said Hitchman-Craig. “I was blown away by the number of people and the diversity of who showed up.”

After their night on the church lawn, the monks arrived the next afternoon at the Collins Farm in Cusseta, Alabama. Judy Collins Allen, whose father and brother run the farm, said about 200 people came to meet the monks — the biggest gathering she’s ever witnessed there.

“There was a calm, warmth and sense of community among people who had not met each other before and that was so special,” she said.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth temple, said the monks, when they arrive in Washington, plan to seek recognition of Vesak, the day which marks the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha, as a national holiday.

“Doing so would acknowledge Vesak as a day of reflection, compassion and unity for all people regardless of faith,” he said.

But Pannakara emphasized that their main goal is to help people achieve peace in their lives. The trek is also a separate endeavor from a $200 million campaign to build towering monuments on the temple’s 14-acre property to house the Buddha’s teachings engraved in stone, according to Dong.

The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment. It focuses on the mind-body connection — observing breath and physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and suffering. Some of the monks, including Pannakara, walk barefoot to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment.

Pannakara has told the gathered crowds that they don't aim to convert people to Buddhism.

Brooke Schedneck, professor of religion at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, said the tradition of a peace walk in Theravada Buddhism began in the 1990s when the Venerable Maha Ghosananda, a Cambodian monk, led marches across war-torn areas riddled with landmines to foster national healing after civil war and genocide in his country.

“These walks really inspire people and inspire faith,” Schedneck said. “The core intention is to have others watch and be inspired, not so much through words, but through how they are willing to make this sacrifice by walking and being visible.”

On Thursday, Becki Gable drove nearly 400 miles (about 640 kilometers) from Cullman, Alabama, to catch up with them in Saluda. Raised Methodist, Gable said she wanted some release from the pain of losing her daughter and parents.

“I just felt in my heart that this would help me have peace,” she said. “Maybe I could move a little bit forward in my life.”

Gable says she has already taken one of Pannakara’s teachings to heart. She’s promised herself that each morning, as soon as she awakes, she’d take a piece of paper and write five words on it, just as the monk prescribed.

“Today is my peaceful day.”

Freelance photojournalist Allison Joyce contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," get lunch Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Aloka rests with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A sign is seen greeting the Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters pray with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters watch Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A Buddhist monk ties a prayer bracelet around the wrist of Josey Lee, 2-months-old, during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara leads other buddhist monks in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Audrie Pearce greets Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," arrive in Saluda, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," are seen with their dog, Aloka, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)