On the three-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, leaders from thirteen countries gathered in Kyiv on February 24, 2025, to reaffirm their support for Ukraine at a pivotal moment for the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the event as potentially transformative, stating, "We have an important meeting tomorrow, a summit. Maybe it will be a turning point." The summit will see participation from 24 additional leaders via video link, signaling widespread international interest and solidarity with Ukraine.
Among those appearing at the summit are notable figures such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen mentioned her collaborative discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasizing the European commitment to securing peace and enhancing the continent's security as negotiations with Russia continue.
With the American political climate shifting dramatically, European leaders are feeling the pressure to solidify their strategy against Russian threats. The tides have turned with former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments, where he implied a readiness to negotiate with Russia, downplaying Ukraine's role as the aggressor. This has raised alarms and prompted European leaders to bolster their resolve as they prepare for the upcoming summit. European Council President Antonio Costa announced a special summit set for March 6, calling the situation "a decisive moment for Ukraine and European security."
The backdrop of the summit was intensified by the realities on the ground, particularly in cities like Izioum, which remains vulnerable to artillery fire and airstrikes. Despite being liberated over two years ago, the specter of war looms heavily over its returning residents. The sound of artillery is ever-present as the front line edges closer, and civilians navigate their lives amid the uncertainty and danger.
A survivor from Izioum shared harrowing details of life since the cessation of Russian occupation, recounting the loss of life due to recent bombings. "We arrived on time for work, and then the air raid alert sounded. We rushed out just as the explosion rocked everything around us," he exclaimed, describing the chaos and fear following missile strikes on civilian targets.
Local resident Anatoly, the owner of the only cafe still operating, expressed reluctance to leave his hometown, stating, "It's particularly dangerous, but I don't want to leave. This is my home." Many residents share this sentiment, clinging to their homes and communities even as the threat of renewed occupation hangs overhead.
Demonstrations supporting Ukraine were also evident worldwide, from Paris to Washington D.C., as citizens rallied for peace and to back Ukraine's fight against territorial aggression. These public displays convey the growing international sentiment urging leaders to take firm action against Russia.
The choices faced by residents of Izioum highlight the heavy toll of the conflict. Many have lost everything—homes, family members, and livelihoods—leaving them with little more than their deeply rooted connections to the land. The looming question remains: How will geopolitical dynamics, particularly U.S. involvement and European unity, shape the future of Ukraine?
Russian responses to the summit and criticisms of Trump's burgeoning dialogue with them present alarming challenges for Ukraine. While officials state the war will not end until Ukraine's sovereignty is firmly established, external negotiations complicate the situation—a combination of hope and trepidation resides within the community.
Images of desolation from Izioum serve as the stark reminder of conflict's impact. The graves of those fallen during the initial liberation of the city haunt the residents still clinging to their homes amid continuous shelling.
Different factions within Ukraine's political and military spheres are responding to the summit with growing unease. The sentiment is reflected vividly by Oleksandre, an assault unit commander, who expressed with steely resolve, "They will not listen to Zelensky if he even considers ceding our land. Our guys here have lost everything; they have nothing left to lose." His words portray the fierce loyalty of those defending their homeland, regardless of the negotiation at the top.
With the summit bearing down, the international community's role appears more significant than ever before. European leaders must balance mobilizing coordinated efforts against Russia with domestic pressures at home as they pursue complex negotiations with their American counterparts.
While leaders meet and debate policy, the frontline realities of soldiers and civilians will remain central to the Ukrainian experience. The summit may proclaim unity and resolve, but it is underpinned by the very real tragedies of war continuing to affect millions.