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Commemoration ceremony on the Field of Mars shortly before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion
Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/dpa
On the second anniversary of the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj commemorated the victims with foreign guests and expressed optimism: "We will win," he said on Saturday at a memorial event at the military airfield in Hostomel near Kiev.
"Every normal person wants the war to end," said Zelenskyj against the backdrop of destroyed planes at the airport.
"But none of us allow our Ukraine to end." The military airfield in Hostomel was captured by Russian units in the first days of the war, but were driven out again by the Ukrainian army shortly afterwards.
Unexpected turnaround after the invasion
The ceremony was also attended by several Western leaders visiting Ukraine to mark the anniversary, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Exactly two years ago it seemed as if everything was lost and would fall within a few days." But thanks to the courage of the Ukrainians, that didn't happen.
The politician listed what has been achieved over the past two years and highlighted, among other things, the clearing of trade routes in the Black Sea that were blocked by Russia.
The Russian army invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 on the orders of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.
After more than a year of deadlocked fighting, Moscow is now going on the offensive again, especially in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly suffering from a lack of ammunition.
Zelenskyj repeatedly calls for accelerated deliveries of ammunition and weapons.
The sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow because of the war have not yet had the desired effect.
tmk/AFP/dpa/Reuters