The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is giving a speech marking a year of war in the Hagia Sophia in Kiev and has asked for one Minute of silence to commemorate “the heroes” fight to resist the Russian invasion. “Glory to all who are fighting now,” he said. “Their effort brings victory closer and decides whether Ukraine will exist,” he said. “Every day depends on you, Ukrainian soldier. You are the most important person, you are the reason millions of Ukrainians are alive today. They are the reason why victory will ring out,” said Zelenskyy.
The commemoration
During the minute of silence, the seconds were marked by the sound of drums. Those present then shouted the slogan “Honour of Ukraine”. Zelenskyy, wearing a camouflage jacket, thanked the Ukrainian army, secret services, security forces and police for their daily sacrifice. “Glory to you and everyone who helps, fights and saves lives every day, Glory to our heroes! Glory to Ukraine!” he concluded. Zelensky presented medals and honors to the soldiers during the ceremony and to the families of the soldiers who died at the front. Commemorations are held in other parts of the country. In the early hours of the morning, Kiev bells rang to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion.
The War in the Field
This was announced by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion Kyiv prepares “counteroffensive”. “We will strike harder and from farther away, in the air, on land, at sea and in cyberspace. There will be our counteroffensive. We are working hard to prepare,” Minister Oleksy Reznikov wrote on Facebook.
Zelensky’s speech
“On February 24, 2022, millions of us made a choice: not a white flag, but a blue and yellow one. Not flee, but face. resist and fight. It has been a year of pain, tears, faith and unity. And this year we remained invincible. And we know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on his Twitter account on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of his country. Zelenskyy accompanied his message with a video containing images from that year of the war.
In a speech broadcast on social media, the President of Ukraine said: “Ukraine has inspired and united the world“. And that “it will not stop until the killers are brought to justice.”The world has seen what Ukraine is capable of. They are the new heroes. The defenders of Kiev, the defenders of Azovstal. companies from entire cities. Karkhiv, Chernihiv, Mariupol, Kherson, Mykholaiv, Gostomel, Volnovalka, Bucha, Irpin, Okhtyrka – heroic cities. The Capitals of Invincibility,” he added. “A year ago, on this very day, in this place, around seven in the morning, I turned to you with a brief statement. It only lasted 67 seconds. It contained the two most important things, then and now. That Russia has launched an all-out war against us. And that we are strong. We are prepared for anything. We will defeat everyone. Because we are Ukraine!” “That’s how it started on February 24, 2022. The longest day of our lives. The most difficult day in our modern history. We woke up early and haven’t slept since.”
ANSA agency
From Actor-President to Commander-in-Chief in One Night (ANSA)
The position of the European Union
“Since the beginning of the war, Putin has failed in his goal of dividing the EU. Instead of wiping Ukraine off the map, he faces an opposition stronger than ever and committed to freedom. Ukraine will prevail because the EU will be by its side and our support will continue,” said the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speak Estonian. “Ukraine has already chosen Europe, it has already chosen the unity of our values. In these dark times, the hearts of Ukrainians are warmed by the hope that they can join Europe,” von der Leyen said.
“We stand firmly with Ukraine and, as always, are committed to supporting Ukraine financially, economically and militarily. Our member states are supplying military equipment. And we will use joint procurement to deliver urgent military supplies to Ukraine, such as the 155mm ammunition. We are working with our defense industry to produce these ammunition and other equipment needed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.” “We stand firmly with Ukraine and, as always, are committed to supporting Ukraine financially, economically and militarily. Our member states are supplying military equipment. And we will use joint procurement to deliver urgent military supplies to Ukraine, such as the 155mm ammunition. We are working with our defense industry to produce these ammunition and other equipment needed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Virtual summit with Biden and the G7 leader
Marking the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the White House reported in a statement: US President Joe Biden will hold a virtual meeting with G7 leaders and the President of Ukraine at 3pm Italian time. Biden and the other G7 leaders will reaffirm their commitment to “continue to coordinate efforts in support of Ukraine and to make Russia pay the costs of this war,” the White House reports.
ANSA agency
“Russia will achieve victory” in Ukraine and “we will retake our territories,” said the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council. After “fundamental agreements on real borders or a new Helsinki Pact” (ANSA)
On February 24th, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Don’t flee, but surrender. resist & fight.
It has been a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity. And this year we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory! pic.twitter.com/oInWvssjOI— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
Aid for 2 billion from the USA
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN Washington will deliver another $2 billion tranche of military aid to Ukraine. Sullivan did not give details of these new deliveries. The senior official, who accompanied Joe Biden on a surprise visit to Kiev this week, added that the US administration is constantly questioning how to “give Ukraine the tools it needs to win.”