Friday marks the first anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict with new Western sanctions.
After a year of war, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, February 24 to the day that he was aiming for an “inevitable victory” against Russia this year. The Ukrainian president has the backing of many countries, including the European Union and the G7, which have announced renewed tightening of their sanctions against Moscow.
Franceinfo looks back at the highlights of the day on the warfront in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to win Ukraine in 2023
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has become the face of Ukrainian resistance around the world, has made it his goal to defeat the Russian giant “this year”. “If the partners keep their word and meet the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us,” he told a news conference. “If General (and US Chief of Staff Mark) Milley wants the enemy pushed back more quickly, he needs to speed up arms shipments,” he added.
In Kiev, the President of Ukraine paid tribute to Ukrainian soldiers at the front and those who fell in battle during a ceremony on the forecourt of St. Sophia Cathedral in the morning. Commemorations were held at sites including Boutcha, the site of a massacre of civilians blamed on Russian troops.
Western countries increase their support for Kiev and again sanction Moscow
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki earlier announced during a visit to Kiev the arrival of the first four Leopard 2 main battle tanks and that more tanks would arrive “in a few days”. For his part, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country would supply four additional Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, bringing his contribution in this area to eight.
The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union also confirmed that a new package of sanctions against the Russian economy was passed on Friday evening. “Today the EU adopted a 10th package of sanctions, which includes, among other things, stricter restrictions on the export of dual-use technology and goods, targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities supporting the war, spreading propaganda or drones used by Russia deliver in the war and take action against Russian disinformation,” the Swedish Presidency said on Twitter.
The United States also announced on Friday, in coordination with the G7 countries, a new round of measures targeting Russian companies and individuals in the metals, mining, military equipment or semiconductor sectors, among others.
China proposes talks between Ukraine and Russia
China on Friday called for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, citing respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia’s security claims, a hitherto impossible equation. Westerners have largely swept away that initiative, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy felt it was “necessary” to “work” with Beijing and said he plans to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping.
Moscow said it “appreciated” Chinese efforts but felt Ukraine’s integrity could not be respected, ruling that Moscow’s claimed annexation of Ukrainian regions was “a new territorial reality”.
International solidarity with Ukraine, one year after the start of the conflict
Globally, the tone on Friday, the first anniversary of the conflict, was generally in solidarity with Ukraine. Demonstrations were organized in many cities. A rally is held in Paris, Place de la République, the day after the Eiffel Tower is illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
A rally in support of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 in Paris. (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP)
In Berlin, the hull of a Russian tank was set up in front of the Russian embassy, the gun pointed at it. In Hollywood, about thirty stars expressed their “love” and addressed their prayers to Ukraine.
The World Bank is providing $2.5 billion in aid
This sum is intended to make it possible to support “the maintenance of basic services and recovery efforts” in Ukraine. The new credit line now increases the funds mobilized by the World Bank for Kyiv to $20.6 billion.