The war in Ukraine fulfilled this Friday first yearAnd with no end in sight. He president Volodímir Zelenski defiant as world leaders stood ready to impose new sanctions on Russia and to countries that support their war effort.
In a video message, Zelensky said: “We are strong. We are prepared for everything. We will defeat everyone.” “This is how February 24, 2022 started,” he said, sitting behind a desk and recalling how he addressed the Ukrainians a year ago, as the world reeled from Russia’s act of war.
“The longest day of our lives. The most difficult day in our recent history. We got up early and haven’t slept since,” she added. Zelensky described 2022 as a year of resistance, courage, pain and unity. “The main conclusion is that we have survived. We have not been defeated. And we will do everything possible to win this year,” he said.
As fighting raged in eastern and southern Ukraine, its allies around the world showed their support on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, and in London, people wrapped in Ukrainian flags, with their hands on their hearts, gathered for a vigil with a banner: “If you defend freedom , defend Ukraine,” Reuters replied.
The UN General Assembly It overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday demanding Russia withdraw and end the fighting. There were 141 votes in favor, 32 abstentions and six countries joined the negative vote for Russia, including China. He Deputy Ambassador of Russia to the UN, Dmitri Polianskybranded the action at the United Nations as “useless”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year to seize Kiev and topple the pro-European government, describing it as a “special military operation” to protect his sovereignty.
But those hopes were dashed by a fierce defense and by Russian military mistakes. The Ukrainian counteroffensives of late 2022 recaptured much of the lost territory. Russia now controls about a fifth of Ukraine.
