World leaders reiterate support on the third anniversary of war as Zelenskyy hails ‘absolute heroism of Ukrainians’

 

Ukraine Marks Three Years of Resistance as Global Leaders Gather in Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people on Monday, marking three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

"Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!" Zelenskyy declared in a post featuring a video depicting both soldiers on the frontlines and civilians enduring daily life amid the war.

"Thank you to everyone who protects and helps our country," he added.

World leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, gathered in Kyiv for the "Support Ukraine" forum to commemorate the anniversary and reaffirm their backing for Ukraine.

Humanitarian Crisis Remains Dire

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of the British Red Cross, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the profound toll the war has taken.

"People have been killed, homes destroyed, and families torn apart," she said. "Since the first moments, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has been there, providing urgent aid—food, water, shelter, and medical care. We are also offering long-term support like financial assistance and psychosocial care, helping families rebuild their lives."

The organization reported that over the past three years, 186,000 Red Cross volunteers have assisted 22 million people affected by the war.

Turkey Offers to Host Peace Talks

Amid diplomatic efforts, Turkey reiterated its willingness to facilitate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. During a meeting in Ankara with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed support for U.S.-led peace efforts but stressed that both sides must engage in talks for progress to be made.

"We are ready to contribute in every way to achieving peace through negotiations," Fidan said. "As before, we are prepared to host such talks."

Turkey previously played a key role in brokering early discussions between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, as well as securing the Black Sea grain deal to allow the safe export of Ukrainian agricultural products.

UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

In a significant move, the UK government announced 107 new sanctions against Russia, underscoring its commitment to weakening Moscow’s war efforts.

"This is the largest sanctions package in almost three years," UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated. "Every military supply line disrupted, every rouble blocked, and every enabler of Putin’s aggression exposed is a step towards a just and lasting peace."

Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, adding, "Peace will only come through strength. As the war enters its fourth year, we cannot and will not turn our backs on Ukraine in their fight for our shared security."