The war in Ukraine: a timeline of key events in early 2025

By Lala Hajiyeva
March 11, 2025 23:06
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Reuters

As the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its 34th month, the conflict remains a focal point of global attention. With shifting alliances, military actions, and diplomatic maneuvers, the situation continues to evolve. Here’s a look at some of the most significant developments in early 2025, highlighting key events, military strikes, and diplomatic statements that have shaped the course of the war.

January 2025: Gas Exports, Military Strikes, and Presidential Remarks

January 1, 2025: The year started with a major disruption in Europe's energy supplies. Russian natural gas exports to Europe, which flow through Soviet-era pipelines across Ukraine, were halted after the expiration of a transit agreement. The state-owned Russian energy giant, Gazprom, confirmed that the supply cut-off, effective at 8:00 AM Moscow time, marked a significant escalation in tensions.

January 2, 2025: Ukrainian forces carried out a precision strike on a Russian command post in the Kursk region, causing significant damage and casualties. The attack was confirmed by satellite imagery, and Russian authorities reported damage to civilian structures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing conflict during a televised interview, stating that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could play a pivotal role in halting the war. Zelenskiy expressed his belief that Trump's administration had the potential to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin and stabilize the front lines.

January 6, 2025: Russian forces claimed to have made significant territorial gains, including the capture of the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove in Donetsk. Meanwhile, Ukraine continued to strike deep into Russian-held territories, with a major attack on an oil depot in Engels, Russia, reportedly damaging critical infrastructure used by Russian bomber aircraft.

January 8, 2025: A Russian-guided bomb attack killed at least 13 people and injured 29 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, highlighting the brutal nature of ongoing airstrikes.

January 9, 2025: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need to bolster Ukraine’s position for future peace talks, ensuring that when negotiations do begin, Ukraine will be in the strongest possible position to negotiate a fair and favorable deal.

February 2025: Tensions Rise, and Peace Talks Begin

February 3, 2025: The death of Armen Sarkisyan, a prominent pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, in a bomb attack in Moscow, further deepened the geopolitical rift. The attack, which took place near the Kremlin, raised concerns about the security of Russian officials and their involvement in the conflict.

February 8, 2025: The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for downing a Russian SU-25 fighter jet in the Donetsk region, signaling Ukraine’s growing capacity for aerial warfare despite Russian air superiority.

February 12, 2025: In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy had expressed a desire for peace during separate phone calls. Trump ordered U.S. officials to initiate talks aimed at bringing an end to the conflict, signaling a potential shift toward diplomacy.

February 13, 2025: However, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy firmly rejected any peace deals that did not include Ukraine at the negotiating table. He stated that Ukraine would not accept agreements made without its involvement, ensuring that its sovereignty and territorial integrity would be at the center of any discussions.

February 14, 2025: The Chornobyl Attack and Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Stance

On February 14, a Russian drone strike caused significant damage to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, raising fears of radiation exposure. This attack marked a dangerous escalation in the use of weaponry, targeting critical infrastructure with far-reaching consequences.

Later the same day, Zelenskyy arrived in Munich, Germany, for the Munich Security Conference, where he discussed the ongoing war and reaffirmed Ukraine's stance on peace negotiations. He made it clear that Ukraine would only engage in talks with Putin once a common plan had been agreed upon with Trump and European leaders, underlining Ukraine’s determination to protect its sovereignty.

February 17, 2025: Russian Diplomatic Criticism

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, publicly criticized European involvement in peace talks, questioning the role of European countries in the negotiations. Lavrov’s comments came ahead of U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, further illustrating the tense diplomatic environment surrounding the conflict.

Meanwhile, European leaders met in Paris to discuss the possibility of a peace settlement, although Russia reiterated its stance that no territorial concessions would be made, while Ukraine rejected any peace deals that excluded its participation.

The Path Forward: A Fragile Hope for Peace

As the war in Ukraine continues into 2025, the conflict shows no signs of abating. While military actions continue on both sides, there is growing international pressure for diplomatic engagement. U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for peace, combined with Ukraine's insistence on being included in the negotiations, suggest that a fragile path to peace may be emerging, but significant challenges remain. As the world watches closely, the fate of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape hang in the balance.

While Ukraine and Russia remain locked in conflict, the involvement of international powers, especially the United States, will likely play a decisive role in determining the future of the war. How the next months unfold will be crucial in shaping the outcome of this devastating conflict.

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