President Volodymyr Zelensky has commemorated the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine by accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to seize control of the country, asserting that Moscow has fallen short of its military and political ambitions.
In a recorded address featuring scenes of Ukrainians resisting Russian troops during the early days of the invasion, Zelensky stated that Kyiv remains prepared to do “everything” within its power to secure a durable and meaningful peace.
The conflict, which began on February 24, 2022, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and represents the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.
Efforts to broker peace, revived last year with the involvement of the United States, have yet to produce a breakthrough. Fighting continues to ravage large swathes of the country, leaving Ukraine with enormous reconstruction needs.
“Putin has not achieved his goals. He did not break the Ukrainians. He did not win this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace—and to ensure there is justice,” Zelensky said in his address.
“We want peace. Strong, dignified, and lasting peace,” Zelensky said, adding that any agreement “must not simply be signed, it must be accepted by Ukrainians”.
Several leaders from allied nations travelled to Ukraine to mark the anniversary, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also present, reiterating Europe’s continued backing of Ukraine.
She stated that Europe stood “unwaveringly with Ukraine, financially, militarily, and through this harsh winter”.
“And to send a clear message to the Ukrainian people and to the aggressor alike: we will not relent until peace is restored. Peace on Ukraine’s terms,” she said in a video shared on social media.
Von der Leyen is expected to attend a memorial event and inspect an energy facility damaged by Russian strikes before holding talks with Zelensky and joining a virtual meeting with Kyiv’s partners, including Britain, France and Germany.
– Territory dispute –
The United States has intensified calls for an end to the war, which has heavily damaged eastern and southern Ukraine. However, significant disagreements remain between Moscow and Kyiv, particularly over territorial control.
Russia currently holds roughly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and is seeking full control of the eastern Donetsk region as part of any negotiated settlement.
Moscow has warned that it will attempt to seize the region militarily if Ukraine refuses to agree during negotiations.
Kyiv has firmly rejected the demand, maintaining that it will not endorse any agreement without firm security guarantees from allies such as the United States to prevent future aggression.
In recent months, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, disrupting heating and electricity supplies for millions during the winter season.
Western allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow, prompting Russia to redirect much of its oil exports toward alternative markets, particularly in Asia.
Despite sustaining heavy casualties, Russian forces have recently made incremental advances along parts of the front line, especially in the eastern Donbas region, which Moscow aims to annex.
Russia has dismissed proposals from Ukraine regarding the deployment of European troops on Ukrainian soil following any ceasefire arrangement.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly signalled that he will continue pursuing his objectives through military means if diplomatic efforts collapse.
– Reconstruction –
The protracted four-year conflict has severely damaged Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. Even prior to the invasion, Ukraine was among Europe’s less affluent nations.
A joint report by the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations, released Monday in collaboration with Kyiv, estimates that rebuilding Ukraine will cost approximately $588 billion over the next decade.
Moscow has justified its military intervention as a defensive action aimed at blocking Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.
Speaking during a ceremony marking “Defenders of the Fatherland Day,” Putin said his troops were safeguarding Russia’s “borders” to maintain “strategic parity” among global powers and to secure the nation’s “future”.
Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union, views the war as a renewed expression of Russian imperial ambition designed to dominate and subjugate the Ukrainian state.
In remarks to AFP ahead of the anniversary, Zelensky insisted that Ukraine was not on the brink of defeat and urged European nations to position troops directly along the front lines in the event of a ceasefire, as a deterrent against renewed Russian aggression.
What You Should Know
President Volodymyr Zelensky marked four years since Russia’s invasion by declaring that Vladimir Putin has failed to accomplish his war aims.
While Ukraine continues to seek a lasting peace backed by strong security guarantees, disputes over territory and ongoing military offensives have stalled negotiations.
Reconstruction costs are projected at nearly $588 billion over the next decade.
