The four world leaders visited Ukraine’s capital Kiev on Saturday (February 24), marking two years of the Ukraine war.
It happened on this day in 2022 when the Russian military launched what President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation.” On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that Ukraine will prevail in the ongoing conflict.
It included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo.
“We will celebrate,” Zelensky said during a joint press conference at Kiev’s Gostomel airport. The airport has been under frequent attack by Russia.
In 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the former world superpower was expected to soon achieve victory. But the Ukrainian army counterattacked. The West, led by the United States, imposed sanctions on Russia and directed billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.
However, following Western assistance, Ukraine has been unable to mount a successful counteroffensive and Russian forces have infiltrated Ukrainian territory, building strong defenses.
On Saturday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Ukraine and its allies “not to give up.” European Commission chief von der Leyen praised Ukraine for its “extraordinary resilience.”
Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Sirsky said he was confident of victory “because light always defeats darkness”.
However, the war on the battlefield seems to be coming to an end.
Additionally, Russia has increased its arms production and increased budgetary spending for the defense sector. While the lack of progress from Ukraine appears to have affected confidence in the Western bloc.
There are now many voices in Western legislative circles questioning the continuity of aid to Ukraine.
AFP quoted some Ukrainian soldiers as saying that they were not properly equipped.
“Dadnos artillery, drones, combat batteries, projectiles,” said a 31-year-old Ukrainian soldier, who identified himself as Woody.
“Our infantry, armed with assault rifles and grenades, faces artillery, planes and tanks”, said a 39-year-old military man from Kiev.
