**French President Reaffirms Support for Ukraine**
On February 24, French President Emmanuel Macron met with US President Donald Trump to reaffirm his commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty. This came on the third anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Macron said that he would tell Trump not to be weak with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He praised Trump for working on a minerals deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which Macron sees as a commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.
**Concerns Over Minerals Deal**
The minerals deal would grant the US preferential access to rare earth minerals and other resources in Ukraine. This has raised concerns that it could be seen as a “colonial agreement.” The deal is estimated to be worth $500 billion in value, with the US getting 50% of revenue from resource extraction.
**EU Condemns Russia’s Invasion**
The EU has condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, exceeding the financial aid sent to Ukraine by paying 21.9 billion euros for Russian fossil fuel imports. The UN General Assembly also approved a Ukrainian resolution condemning Russia’s actions, with 93 countries voting in favor and 18 against.
**Peace Talks Unlikely**
Despite efforts to establish a lasting peace, many are skeptical that negotiations will bring results soon. A report by independent media outlets Meduza and Mediazona suggests that Russian losses have increased each year, amounting to “billions of dollars.”
**Ukraine Prepares for War**
Since army recruitment centers began operating, 42,366 Ukrainians have applied, with the highest number of female candidates coming from western regions. The Lithuanian President called for decisive leadership to accelerate Ukraine’s integration.
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