Ukraine will triumph over Russian "darkness", promised Saturday February 24 the commander-in-chief of the armies of kyiv, which is entering its third year of war weakened.
When Vladimir Putin announced that Russian troops were entering Ukrainian territory at dawn on February 24, 2022, the Russian president believed they would capture Kiev within days, but Ukrainian resistance forced them to humiliating retreats.
In 2023, it was Ukraine which experienced a major disappointment with the failure of its major summer counter-offensive.
So much so that the Russian army, supported by an economy devoted to the war effort, found itself in a position of strength.
For their part, the Ukrainian military complains of the weakness of their troops as well as the lack of shells and anti-aircraft defense equipment.
Also read: Chernihiv, a battered city, is trying to rebuild itself despite the war in Ukraine
Russia will take “revenge” for new Western sanctions
The number two of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, vowed on Saturday that his country would take revenge for Western sanctions, announced on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Russian offensive against Ukraine and the death of the opponent Alexei Navalny.
"Let them [Westerners] all suffer there. We must remember that, we must take revenge on them wherever possible. They are our enemies," wrote on Telegram l ex-Russian president, accustomed to warlike and threatening declarations.
Giorgia Meloni in kyiv for a virtual G7 on Ukraine
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in kyiv on Saturday morning, where she will chair a virtual G7 meeting on Ukraine, according to video images transmitted by the government.
The G7 meeting, currently chaired by Italy and attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, will be held on Saturday afternoon and should be devoted to the establishment of new sanctions against Moscow, two years after the start of the Russian invasion .
This meeting is the first bringing together heads of state and government of G7 member countries (United States, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada) under Italian presidency.
A ballet of Western leaders in kyiv to show their support
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday morning to show their support for Ukraine.
"In kyiv to mark the anniversary of the second year of Russia's war against Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people," Ursula von der Leyen said on social media.
“More than ever, we firmly support Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free.”
In Kyiv to mark the anniversary of the 2nd year of Russia's war on Ukraine.
And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people.
More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine.
Financially, economically, militarily, morally.
Until the country is finally free.
pic.twitter.com/ZLWMbOxVFh
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2024
Putin must not count on European weariness, says Emmanuel Macron
“Ukraine is fighting for itself, for its ideals, for our Europe. Our commitment to it will not weaken,” promised French President Emmanuel Macron.
"European aid for Ukraine of 50 billion euros over four years was decided with the support of France on February 1. With a clear message: Vladimir Putin's Russia must not count on any weariness of the Europeans", also warned the Elysée on X.
With AFP
The France 24 summary of the week
invites you to look back at the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application