Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy Welcomes Western Leaders on Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion
On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed a group of western leaders to Kyiv. The visit aimed to show solidarity and support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia. Zelenskiy met with the prime ministers of Italy, Canada, and Belgium, as well as the European Commission president. The leaders visited Hostomel airport, near Kyiv, which was seized by Russian paratroopers at the beginning of the invasion. Ukrainian troops successfully regained control of the airfield, preventing the capture of the capital.
Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude for the presence of these leaders, stating, “Two years ago we met enemy troopers here with fire, and two years later, we are meeting our friends, our partners, here.” He emphasized the desire for an end to the war but made it clear that Ukraine would not allow itself to be defeated.
During the visit, Zelenskiy also had a video call with US President Joe Biden, further demonstrating the show of solidarity between the two nations. This comes at a critical time for Ukraine, as its troops have recently suffered defeats on the battlefield, including the loss of the eastern city of Avdiivka. Additionally, Ukraine is facing challenges on the international front, with House Republicans in Washington blocking a US military aid package. As a result, Ukraine is running out of essential supplies such as artillery shells and air defense missiles.
Among the visitors to Kyiv were British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a cross-party delegation of British MPs. Speaking at a conference organized by Ukrainian oligarch Victor Pinchuk, Johnson expressed his unwavering belief in Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia. He highlighted the significant number of Russian tanks and soldiers that Ukraine has already destroyed and called for the elimination of the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia with occupied Crimea. Johnson urged democratic countries to increase their support for Ukraine and boost defense production.
Despite the show of solidarity in Kyiv, the war continues to rage outside the city. Russian drones launched attacks on the port of Odesa for two consecutive nights, resulting in the death of one person in a residential building. In Dnipro, another Russian drone killed two individuals. These incidents highlight the ongoing violence and the urgent need for support to counter Russian aggression.
Ukraine’s national security adviser, Oleksiy Danilov, expressed frustration at the lack of long-range systems provided by the West. He specifically mentioned the absence of the German Taurus missile, which would enable Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Danilov revealed that Ukrainian forces had to rely on outdated Soviet rockets to shoot down a Russian A-50 military spy plane, marking the second time in a month that such an aircraft had been destroyed. He emphasized the urgent need for advanced weaponry to effectively defend Ukraine against Russian attacks.
As Ukraine commemorates the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, it is clear that the conflict is far from over. The visit of western leaders to Kyiv serves as a symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. However, with ongoing challenges on both the domestic and international fronts, Ukraine urgently requires increased assistance and advanced weaponry to defend its sovereignty and bring an end to the war.