Two years of war in Ukraine: Western officials flock to kyiv
Ukraine enters its third year of war this Saturday, February 24, and political leaders are coming to kyiv to show their solidarity with the power in place.
Giorgia Meloni, head of the Italian government, arrived in kyiv this Saturday, February 24.
She will chair a virtual G7 meeting in kyiv with President Zelensky in the afternoon.
AFP - HANDOUT
By: RFI Follow
Advertisement
Read more
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the first to arrive this Saturday in Kiev, praised "the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people" on Saturday upon her arrival in Kiev, two years to the day after the start of the large-scale invasion scale of Ukraine by Russia.
“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,” von der Leyen said on social media. “
More than ever, we strongly 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
with our special correspondents and our guests: Alexeï Venediktov, from the editor-in-chief of Les Echos de Moscow radio and Guillaume Lasconjarias, military expert at the Institute of Advanced National Defense Studies.
45:54
Two years of war in Ukraine: listen or re-listen to our special edition [8:10 a.m.-9 a.m.]
Surprise visit from Giorgia Meloni
Another visit, those of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who will chair in the afternoon, in the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, a
virtual meeting of the G7
to discuss new sanctions against Moscow.
According to the Italian agency AGI, Ms. Meloni and Mr. Zelensky will open the meeting at 4:00 p.m. GMT at St. Sophia Cathedral in central Kiev.
This meeting is the first of the heads of state and government of the G7 member countries (United States, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada) under Italian presidency.
It was convened "
on the occasion of the second anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine
", at a time when Kiev recognizes that it is experiencing an "
extremely difficult
" situation for its forces, deprived of ammunition and American aid, it was specified. Tuesday the Italian government during its announcement.
At the end of the meeting, which is expected to last an hour and a half, a joint statement on Ukraine is expected to be adopted, according to Italian diplomatic sources.
The
G7 decided in July 2023 to sign bilateral security contracts
with Ukraine.
After London in January, kyiv signed this type of agreement with Germany and France, and 25 other states joined this initiative, such as Poland.
According to the AGI agency, Giorgia Meloni and Volodymyr Zelensky plan to sign such an agreement on Saturday at the headquarters of the Ukrainian presidency.
Concretely, these security agreements may concern the granting of military equipment, interoperable with that of NATO, the training of Ukrainian forces and the strengthening of Ukraine's defense industry.
“
Don’t lose hope
” assures Jens Stoltenberg
On the military side, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Ukraine and its allies on Saturday “
not to lose hope
”, on the second anniversary of the invasion of the country launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“
The situation on the battlefield remains extremely difficult.
President Putin's goal of dominating Ukraine has not changed, there is no indication that he is preparing for peace
,” the Alliance Secretary General said in a recorded message.
“
But we must not lose hope.
Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable capabilities and fierce determination
,” he insisted in this video broadcast on the NATO website.
Earlier this morning, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armies assured that Ukraine would triumph over Russian “
darkness
”.
“
I am convinced that our victory is in unity.
And it undoubtedly will be.
Because light always triumphs over darkness!
“, General Oleksandr Syrsky
said
on Telegram.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
Ukraine
European Union
NATO
Special edition
On the same subject
War in Ukraine: after two years of war, the West still behind kyiv
International press review
In the news: what are the prospects after two years of war in Ukraine