President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was proud of the “absolute heroism” shown by the Ukrainian people in withstanding three years of unprovoked Russian aggression, as European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-blown war.

Russia said it would only halt the invasion if a deal can be reached that "suits" its interests and accused Europe of wanting to prolong the fighting.

Ukraine enters the fourth year of all-out war with Russia on Monday, unsure it can rely any longer on its staunchest ally the United States as its exhausted troops fight to hold their ground against unrelenting enemy advances.