US President Donald Trump confirmed that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky would visit Washington on Friday to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals, while the latter said the success of the deal would hinge on the talks that take place and continued US aid.

Under the deal, which Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has called "preliminary", Kyiv would hand some revenue from its mineral resources to a fund jointly controlled by the US.

Trump said Zelensky would sign the agreement on rare earths and discuss other topics during his visit but suggested Washington would not make far-reaching security guarantees.

"I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond-very much. We're going to have Europe do that," Trump said, without elaborating.

Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said his talks with Trump would stress the importance of obtaining security guarantees "to ensure that Russia no longer destroys the lives of other nations", and added that continued US aid was vital.

"For me and for all of us in the world, it is important that American aid is not halted. Strength is needed on the path to peace," he said.

Zelensky later told a news conference that he would immediately follow the trip with talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders in Britain over the weekend.

His comments about the deal and the US visit came as discussions were fraught over the minerals issue, which would grant the US preferential access to Ukrainian natural resources in exchange for US support.

Difficult work ahead

Officials late on Tuesday said they had come to an agreement following protracted negotiations, but Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv that more difficult work lay ahead.

Further discussions between US and Ukrainian officials would determine the nature of security guarantees for Ukraine and the exact sums of money at stake in the accords.

However, Trump earlier brushed aside Ukraine's aspirations of joining the Atlantic defense alliance, saying: "NATO — you can forget about it."

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that it was still waiting for official confirmation that the US and Ukraine had agreed on the terms of the minerals deal.

"So far, there are no official statements on this matter. We have only heard that Zelensky seemed to be going to Washington on Friday," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The Kremlin has also sought to approach Trump by encouraging US investments in natural resources in Ukrainian territory controlled by Russian forces.

Russian and US diplomats met in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss resolving bilateral disputes that are part of a wider dialogue the sides see as crucial to ending the military conflict.

ISTANBUL -- A Russian delegation arrived at the premises of the US Consulate General in Istanbul on Thursday for talks on bilateral issues, the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Anadolu broadcast live from the premises on the European side of the city, showing a vehicle carrying the Russian delegation arriving at around 9:45 am local time (0645 GMT).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Wednesday in Doha, Qatar, that the two sides would discuss issues concerning the operations of their respective embassies.

He said that the meeting would focus on improving the conditions for diplomatic missions in each other's country, particularly addressing concerns over staffing levels and embassy properties.

KYIV - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Wednesday that his government adopted a set of measures needed for signing the minerals partnership agreement with the United States, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

"Today the government is making decisions necessary for signing an agreement between Ukraine and the United States," Shmyhal said.

Under the agreement, Ukraine and the United States are set to establish a joint investment fund which will be co-owned and co-managed by both governments, Shmyhal said.

He emphasized that Ukrainian mineral resources will remain the property of Ukraine and will not be transferred to the US ownership.

According to the deal, Ukraine will contribute 50 percent of its future revenues from its natural resources to the fund, while the United States will provide funds to support Ukraine's recovery.

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that US and Ukrainian teams are preparing for negotiations on Friday.

In his evening address, Zelensky said he will meet US President Donald Trump.

The minerals partnership agreement, support for Ukraine and security guarantees will be on the agenda of the potential meeting, Zelensky said.

"It is important to me and to all of us around the world that the US' aid is not stopped. Strength is essential on the path to peace," he said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to the US in the coming days, after Washington and Kyiv agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.

Negotiations have been ongoing for days over a deal that could grant the United States access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals as part of wider negotiations to end Russia's special military operation, as well as US involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine.

CNN quoted a Ukrainian official as saying that terms were agreed upon after "everything unacceptable was taken out of the text and it is now more clearly spelled out how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine's security and peace".

Details of the agreement are not yet known, but a major sticking point was a demand from the Donald Trump administration for a $500 billion share of Ukraine's rare earth and other minerals in exchange for the aid the US had provided to Kyiv, which was previously rejected by Zelensky.

A source familiar with the contents of the draft agreement said it does not specify any US security guarantees or continued flow of weapons, but that the US wants Ukraine to be "free, sovereign and secure".

One of the sources familiar with the deal said future weapons shipments are still being discussed between Washington and Kyiv.

The US has not confirmed whether the terms of a deal have been agreed upon.

"I hear that (Zelensky is) coming on Friday," Trump said on Tuesday. "Certainly it's OK with me if he'd like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that's a big deal, very big deal."

Asked what Ukraine would receive in the minerals deal, Trump said," $350 billion and lots of equipment, military equipment, and the right to fight on.

"We've pretty much negotiated our deal on rare earth and various other things," Trump told reporters, adding that "we'll be looking to" future security for Ukraine "later on".

"I don't think that's going to be a problem," he said. "I spoke with Russia about it. They didn't seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand … once we do this, they're not going back in."

Some European countries have said they would be willing to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. Trump said on Monday that Moscow would accept such peacekeepers, but the Kremlin denied that on Tuesday.

Under the terms of a draft minerals agreement, according to sources familiar with its contents, the US and Ukraine would establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund to collect and reinvest revenues from Ukrainian sources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.

Kyiv would contribute 50 percent of the revenues to the fund, minus operating expenses, and continue until the contributions reach a sum of $500 billion. The US would provide a long-term financial commitment to the development of a "stable and economically prosperous Ukraine".

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn

MOSCOW - The Kremlin has dismissed statements that Russia was open to European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.

When asked about the possible deployment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to make a direct comment but referred to an earlier rejection of the idea by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"There is a position on this issue here, which was expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. I have nothing to add to this and nothing to comment on," the spokesman said on Tuesday.

Lavrov said last week that Russia rejected the use of Western soldiers in Ukraine.

WARSAW - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday emphasized the imperative of Europe's active involvement in peace negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Following a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa, Tusk said, "We are fully aware that the potentially upcoming negotiations require Europe's presence. Ukraine also expects this."

Costa announced an extraordinary European Council meeting scheduled for March 6, focusing on enhancing support for Ukraine and bolstering European defense capabilities.

Costa stressed the need for a unified European response, noting that recent US-Russia dialogues have raised concerns about potential agreements excluding Ukrainian and European interests.

The two leaders addressed the importance of increased defense spending across Europe.

European Union leaders pledged fresh support for Ukraine on Monday amid strained relations with the new US administration of President Donald Trump.

European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and other European and Canadian leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Costa said EU accession is key to Ukraine's future, calling it the country's most important security guarantee. The remark came after the Trump administration ruled out Ukraine's NATO membership in a potential peace deal with Russia.

Ukraine was given "EU candidate" status in June 2022, four months after the conflict broke out, as a gesture of EU support. However, many expect the path to full membership to be long.

Von der Leyen said Ukraine could join the bloc earlier than 2030 if it maintains its speedy reforms, adding that membership is merit-based.

"If you would just only set a date, then it would also mean the other candidate countries would ask immediately for a date and not a process anymore," she said.

She also unveiled a $3.67 billion EU financial aid package to support Ukraine's strained budget and help purchase military equipment from its domestic industry, among other things.

Separately, EU foreign ministers approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia in Brussels on Monday, targeting its energy, trade, transport, infrastructure and financial services.

Following the meeting, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she is "optimistic" that leaders will quickly agree on additional funding for short-term military aid to Ukraine, though details will be discussed at the upcoming EU summit on March 6.

Ding Chun, director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, described the flurry of EU moves as "a stress response by the European political mainstream to the impact of Trump's U-turn on US policy toward Europe and Ukraine".

"They regard it as both a matter relating to European defense and security and a matter to show EU independence from the US," Ding said, adding it is also an effort to unify member states and strengthen the bloc's cohesion.

The dramatic change of US policy prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to travel to Washington on Monday to meet Trump and mend ties, but their stark differences were in full display in front of the media.

Open disagreement

Macron openly disagreed with Trump on key issues, including whether to label Russia as the "aggressor". Trump also refused to call Russia's president a dictator, after referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as one.

Trump and Macron did agree on the deployment of European peacekeeping forces once a peace deal is reached.

"They would not be along the front lines," Macron said. "They would not be party of any conflict. They would be there to ensure that the peace is respected."

After the meeting, Trump said Zelensky could travel to Washington this week or next to seal the minerals agreement, which he called "very close", without elaborating.

Macron, in an interview later with Fox News, said he believes a truce in Ukraine is feasible in the next few weeks. A US minerals deal with Kyiv would be one of the best ways to ensure a commitment from Washington, he said.

Agencies contributed to this story.

MOSCOW - Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, said the US-proposed resolution on the Ukraine crisis, adopted Monday by the Security Council, is "a starting point" for further efforts toward a peaceful settlement.

"The adopted text is not perfect, but it is essentially the first attempt by the Council to produce a constructive and forward-looking document that speaks of a path to peace rather than fanning the flames of conflict," said Nebenzia.

He said the crisis has complex origins and cannot be reduced to a mere confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, urging against allowing external forces to derail peace efforts by both Russia and the United States.

The adopted resolution appealed for a swift end to the conflict, mourned the loss of life, and urged a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. The resolution received 10 votes in favor, none against, and five abstentions including France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on Monday proposed by the United States calling for "a swift end to the conflict" between Ukraine and Russia and urging "a lasting peace" as the world observed the third anniversary of the war.

The resolution was approved with 10 votes in favor, none against, and five abstentions from France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia. The resolution also mourns the loss of life in the war, without blaming Russia.

"Despite differences in positions, dialogue is always better than confrontation, and peace talks are always preferable to war. China supports the US-Russia agreement to start peace talks," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at the meeting.

"China expects all parties involved, as well as relevant stakeholders, to engage in the peace process at the appropriate time, seeking a fair and lasting resolution that addresses mutual concerns. The goal should be to reach a binding peace agreement that is accepted by all parties," he said.

Fu then emphasized that because the conflict is taking place on European soil, "Europe ought to play its part for peace, to jointly address the root causes of the crisis, and to find a balanced, effective, and sustainable security framework, so as to achieve long-term security and stability on the European continent".

Fu reiterated China's guidance on the Ukraine issue is that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected; the purposes and principles of the UN Charter observed; the legitimate security concerns of all countries given due regard; and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis supported.

Fu noted that China has sent its special envoy to actively engage in diplomatic mediation, has maintained contacts with the parties concerned, including Russia and Ukraine, and has also partnered with Brazil and other countries in creating the Group of Friends for Peace, thus "constituting an important force for supporting and promoting peace".

Earlier Monday, the UN General Assembly also approved two draft resolutions on Ukraine.

One resolution, proposed by Ukraine and co-sponsored by European countries, demands an immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine and condemn Russia's role.

It was passed by 93 countries, while 18 opposed, and 65 abstained. Both the US and Russia voted against the resolution.

The US declined to endorse Ukraine's UN resolution, and at the last minute, introduced its own competing version, urging its allies to support it instead. The US resolution was approved by 93 countries, opposed by eight, while 73 abstained.

The vote took place in the 193-member General Assembly, where resolutions are not legally binding but serve as a gauge of global opinion. Seeking stronger backing, the United States pushed for a vote on its proposal in the more influential UN Security Council, where adopted resolutions are binding. China, which holds the council's presidency this month, presided over the voting.

"We expect the international community to foster a favorable environment for the political resolution of the crisis and the General Assembly to play a constructive role in building a consensus for peace among its member states," Fu said at the General Assembly.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday, in response to a question from a China Daily reporter, said that the United Nations wants to see increased and more positive global cooperation, especially by major players, members, and permanent members of the Security Council. He also emphasized the expectation that all member states reaffirm the principles of the UN Charter and the shared vision they have signed onto.

Willingness to support Ukraine "until it wins" has declined sharply across Western Europe, while more than half of Ukrainians now favor a quick, negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict after it has dragged on for three years, two recent polls have found.

According to a poll in December by YouGov, a London-based global public opinion and data firm, support for backing Ukraine until victory has slumped in all seven European countries surveyed.

When asked about their preferred resolution to the conflict, more respondents in Germany, France, Italy and Spain favored a negotiated settlement over supporting Ukraine until Russia withdraws — even if that meant prolonging the conflict.

The results — Germany, 45 percent favored negotiations versus 28 percent for continued support; France, 43 percent versus 23 percent; and Spain 46 percent versus 25 percent — marked a flip in public opinion compared with the response to the same question asked in February 2023, one year after the conflict began.

Few in Western European countries believed that either Ukraine or Russia would win soon, with most thinking that both countries would either continue fighting or come to a peace agreement through negotiations, according to YouGov's survey.

Even in countries where more people preferred supporting Ukraine until it won, enthusiasm had waned. In the United Kingdom, support dropped from 53 to 36 percent; in Denmark, from 56 to 40 percent; and in Sweden, from 63 to 50 percent.

The fatigue over prolonged conflict also grew in Ukraine. A Gallup poll published in November showed that, for the first time, a 52 percent majority of Ukrainians favored negotiating an end to the conflict as soon as possible.

This contrasts with a drop in those who favored continuing the fight until victory, from 73 percent in the early months of the conflict to 38 percent.

Support for continuing the fight has declined across Ukraine, with the sharpest slump in areas far from the front lines. In Kyiv, support fell by 39 percentage points, while in the western regions, it dropped by 40 percentage points.

In the conflict-heavy eastern and southern Ukraine, backing for continued fighting fell below 50 percent, down from 63 percent and 61 percent in 2022, respectively.

Among people in Ukraine who continued to support the fight until victory, the Gallup survey showed evidence that their definition of victory appears to be shifting: the percentage of people who believe that victory means regaining all territory lost since 2014, including Crimea, has dropped from more than 90 percent to 81 percent.

Zhu Xue'er contributed to this story.

The Kremlin on Sunday hailed the dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump as "promising", while Ukraine's leader offered to step down in exchange for NATO membership.

Trump broke with Western policy earlier this month by phoning Putin to discuss how to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict — a call hailed by Moscow as ending three years of isolation for Putin since he launched the special military operation in February 2022.

Top Russian and United States officials met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last week to discuss the "restoration" of ties and start a discussion on a possible Ukraine cease-fire — all without the involvement of Kyiv or Europe.

"This is a dialogue between two extraordinary presidents," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state TV, adding "that's promising".

"It is important that nothing prevents us from realizing the political will of the two heads of state," he said.

Peskov ruled out any territorial concessions as part of a settlement. "The people decided to join Russia a long time ago," he said, referring to Moscow-staged votes in eastern Ukraine held amid the special military operation, which were slammed as bogus by Kyiv, the West and some international monitors.

"No one will ever sell off these territories. That's the most important thing," Peskov said.

Amid his outreach to Moscow, Trump has also verbally attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming Kyiv started the conflict and that Zelensky was hugely unpopular at home.

Zelensky said on Sunday he was not "offended" by Trump's comments and was ready to test his popularity in elections once martial law ends in Ukraine.

"One would be offended by the word 'dictator' if he was a dictator," Zelensky said.

He also called for the Western coalition that has been helping Kyiv during the conflict for the past three years to hold strong.

"We must do our best to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. This is possible with the unity of all partners: we need the strength of the whole of Europe, the strength of America, the strength of all those who want lasting peace," he said.

Conditional resignation

During a news conference in Kyiv on Sunday, Zelensky said he was ready to quit as president if it meant Ukraine would be admitted to the NATO military alliance.

He spoke as Russia's TASS news agency reported that US and Russian diplomats would meet in the coming week, a follow-up to the Riyadh talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Zelensky has been calling for Ukraine to be given NATO membership as part of any deal to end the crisis, but the Washington-led alliance has been reluctant to make a pledge.

"If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready. ... I can exchange it for NATO," Zelensky said, adding he would depart "immediately" if necessary.

"I want very much from Trump understanding of each other," he said, adding that "security guarantees" from the US president were "much needed".

Zelensky also called for Trump to meet with him before any summit with Putin. He also said there had been "progress" on a deal to give the US preferential access to Ukraine's critical resources.

ANKARA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov here on Monday as Turkiye intensified its efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

"Regarding Russia-Ukraine peace talks, we are ready to provide all kinds of support, including hosting the negotiations, to ensure a lasting peace," Erdogan told reporters after a cabinet meeting following his meeting with Lavrov.

"We want this war, which has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and caused both countries to pay a heavy price, to come to an end," he said.

Referring to a meeting last week between US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on ending the conflict, he cautioned that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through an inclusive process.

"A fair and lasting peace can only be reached through a framework that includes all relevant parties," he said, stressing that peace talks excluding any side of the conflicting parties could result in unsuccessful outcomes.

The Turkish leader reiterated his position that Ukraine should also be invited to negotiations and stated that he had conveyed this stance to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Lavrov.

Earlier in the day, Lavrov also held discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

At a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Lavrov said Russia remains open to negotiations on ending the Ukraine conflict, but will not stop its military operations until those negotiations "produce a firm and sustainable result that suits" Russia.

Leaders from Europe and Canada demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine on Monday by joining Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, to mark three years since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led a delegation of senior Western officials at a commemoration in the capital, where Zelensky praised his nation's resilience.

The United States' absence from the gathering emphasized growing concerns about Washington's wavering support for Ukraine, reported the Associated Press.

In a post on X, von der Leyen said: "We are in Kyiv today, because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It's Europe's destiny."

Zelensky faces a shifting international landscape shaped by US President Donald Trump's policy changes. Trump's approach has raised concerns across Ukraine and Europe over him appearing too accommodating toward Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking on the weekend at the Ukraine Year 2025 forum in Kyiv, Zelensky outlined his vision for future peace negotiations.

Zelensky again emphasized that any discussions about his country's future must include its own representatives, and he repeated his wish for the involvement of the United Kingdom and France in peace negotiations.

The Ukrainian leader highlighted the significance of the scheduled US visits by France's President Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week, highlighting their crucial role as European representatives at future peace talks, reported the Ukraine news website Ukrinform.

Zelensky also stressed Germany's essential role in negotiations, citing its substantial financial support that approaches half of US aid levels. He emphasized that Northern European nations should also have a voice in peace discussions.

The president stated his expectation for Turkiye's involvement in the security guarantees for Ukraine, revealing he had discussed this with various international partners.

Trump hosted Macron in Washington on Monday and will meet Starmer on Thursday, amid growing concern over transatlantic partnerships.

According to the Associated Press, the meetings follow several moves by Trump that have strained US-European relations. These include his public criticism of Zelensky over peace negotiations and a minerals deal, talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia that excluded European and Ukrainian representatives, and a proposed resolution at the United Nations that diverges from European demands for an immediate Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.

Trump also recently accused Zelensky, whose five-year term was set to end last year but was extended due to martial law, of deliberately avoiding elections.

"I am focusing on security today and not in 20 years' time. I don't plan to be in power for 10 years," Zelensky told the forum, stating his readiness to step down if it means peace for Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent news website reported that analysts expect elections to follow once a ceasefire is agreed.

Putin says Russia commits to eliminating root causes of Russia-Ukraine conflict, achieving sustainable, lasting peace solution.

MOSCOW - A ceasefire in Ukraine without addressing the root causes of the conflict could have serious consequences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned Monday.

The US side appears eager to push for an immediate ceasefire, Ryabkov told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency in an interview. "But as we have emphasized both in Riyadh and before, a ceasefire without a long-term settlement will only lead to a renewed outbreak of conflict, with even more severe consequences, including for Russia-US relations. We do not want this."

He emphasized the importance of finding a comprehensive and lasting solution that would address the fundamental causes of the Ukraine crisis.

Ryabkov noted that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine was inevitable due to the long-standing underlying issues that had developed over decades as a result of the policies pursued by the United States and some European countries toward Eastern Europe and Ukraine, which he described as "destructive".

"A ceasefire alone is not a solution," Ryabkov said. "We have a different approach and different priorities, as (Russian) President Vladimir Putin has stated. Our senior representatives conveyed this position clearly and comprehensively in Riyadh."

High-level Russia-US talks were held in Riyadh on Tuesday, marking the first face-to-face interaction between senior US and Russian officials since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis three years ago.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the war has caused hundreds of thousands of casualties and displaced millions of people. In this protracted conflict, the United States plays an important role. The recent US-Russia talks marked a shift in the US policy of isolating Russia in the past three years, and the US may no longer strongly support Ukraine and may promote broader US-Russia cooperation in the future. For Ukraine, it has to face the harsh reality that American support is not eternal but based on interests. In the future, Ukraine will have to reassess its national strategy. No one wins a war, and the only way to resolve differences is through dialogue and consultation.

MOSCOW - Russia remains open to negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, local media reported Sunday, citing Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"We maintain our openness," Peskov said when speaking about the prospects for a peaceful settlement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is consistent in his approach.

Putin and US President Donald Trump agreed on the possibility of negotiations on Ukraine in their telephone conversation earlier this month, Peskov said.

Russian and US delegations held talks on Tuesday in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, agreeing to work to end the conflict and improve bilateral ties.

The atmosphere brought about by the New Year decorations in Russia for 2025 feels noticeably different from what I observed years ago.

I still remember December 2022. Alongside the traditional tall fir trees, giant Zs and Vs stood prominently — symbols of victory for the country's special military operation in Ukraine, which began on Feb 24 that year. This year, however, there are no Zs, no Vs, and no slogans at Moscow's main gatherings, as the conflict enters its fourth year.

A similar shift is evident in parts of Central Russia's Siberia. Two years ago in Chita, towering ice sculptures of Russian soldiers clutching Kalashnikov rifles stood among the New Year and Orthodox Christmas decorations. This year, such displays are absent — replaced by snow figures.

Among the Russians I've met and stayed in touch with over my seven years in the country, more now prefer to avoid reminders of military conflicts, both within Russia and along its border with Ukraine.

In the heart of Moscow, retired schoolteacher Tatiana Ivanovna sits on a park bench. Her voice, though soft, carries the weight of years of wisdom — and a yearning for peace.

"We have seen enough suffering. The world needs to stop fighting. As ordinary people, we just want to live our lives, raise our children, and not worry about tomorrow," she says.

Tatiana's words reflect a growing sentiment among everyday Russians: a deep desire for peace amid global tensions. As I traveled through Moscow, St. Petersburg, and smaller towns, I noticed a common thread — a longing for stability and harmony.

According to a recent survey by Russian pollster Levada Center, more than 60 percent of Russians favor peaceful resolutions to international disputes. While patriotism remains strong, there is an increasing awareness of the human and economic costs of prolonged tensions.

Sanctions have hit hard, particularly for the middle and lower classes. Since 2022, Western countries have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, prompting the Russian government to respond with countermeasures — banning imports of many food products, including fruit, dairy, and meat, from the United States, the European Union, and other nations.

At the time, officials framed these restrictions as an opportunity to strengthen Russia's agricultural sector and achieve food self-sufficiency. To some extent, the strategy has worked. Domestic agricultural production has expanded, making Russia one of the world's largest wheat exporters.

Even after years of sanctions, supermarket shelves remain well-stocked, filled with Russian-made cheeses, sausages, and other products that were once imported. However, this shift has come at a cost.

For the majority of ordinary families, affordability has become a problem. Last year, the price of potatoes went up by 88 percent, while butter rose by 35 percent. In some places, butter is placed in security boxes as theft becomes increasingly common.

"Russian agriculture has grown, but it's not always efficient," says economist Oleg Sokolov. "The lack of competition from foreign producers has allowed domestic companies to raise prices without significantly improving quality. Add inflation and logistical challenges, and you get the situation we have today — food is available, but it's expensive."

Olga Grigorieva, an office worker in Yaroslavl, says she used to buy French cheese and Italian wine. Now, she struggles to afford basic groceries.

"I hope the fight will end. That's the most important thing," she says. "Then, everything will get back on the right track."