Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "we hope that we can finish this war this year," during the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. He emphasized that for Ukraine to secure lasting peace, it must receive guarantees to deter any future Russian aggression—a goal that could be aided by joining the EU and NATO, despite Russia's longstanding opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership. 

At a summit in Kyiv attended by European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Zelensky noted the tremendous hardship endured by the nation over the past three years. "We hope that we can finish the war this year," he said, while stressing that immediate security assurances are vital to prevent a resurgence of Russian threats.

Zelensky also proposed that a comprehensive prisoner exchange with Russia could serve as a starting point for negotiating peace. Since the conflict began, there have been 60 prisoner swaps, including a significant exchange in December that involved hundreds of detainees. He highlighted that thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian custody—many captured since the 2014 Crimea invasion—even though Ukraine does not officially disclose these numbers, which are estimated to exceed 8,000.

When asked about the United States and his interactions with President Donald Trump, Zelensky refrained from direct commentary, instead expressing his hope that U.S. support, along with that of other allies, would continue. This comes after recent contentious remarks by Trump, who has criticized Zelensky and advocated for a "quick peace" that would entail significant concessions from Ukraine—remarks that Zelensky has dismissed as being influenced by Russian disinformation.

The summit, which included notable figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and leaders from several European nations, did not feature U.S. representation. Trudeau alluded to a shift in global dynamics, suggesting that "might no longer means right in this world."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed openness to the idea of deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after the war, though she acknowledged that many details still needed resolution. Von der Leyen underscored the broader implications of the conflict, stating on X that the outcome of this war affects not only Ukraine but Europe's future as well, and she added that Ukraine could potentially join the EU before 2030 if it maintains its current reform momentum.

The summit was held ahead of a meeting in Washington DC between French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump, where Ukraine is expected to be a central topic. Meanwhile, the human cost of the conflict continues to mount, with tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians killed and vast areas of Ukraine left in ruins.