12:12 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
World leaders are urging continued support for Ukraine
By CNN's Louise McLoughlin, Radina Gigova, Lauren Kent and Mariya Knight: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks at the special session of the United Nations Security Council on maintaining peace and security in Ukraine on February 23 in New York. Bernd von Jutrczenka/Picture Alliance/Getty Images
As Russia's war in Ukraine approaches its second anniversary, world leaders continue to push for support and assistance in Ukraine.
This is what officials around the world say:
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that ending support for Ukraine was “not an option for us in Europe” and that it would be “the best thing we could do for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.” Baerbock said that is why military support, especially through the USA, will be continued.
“We have unfortunately learned in the last two years that this is not just a war against Ukraine, but a war against the European peace order. It is a war against the United Nations Charter. “So the Ukrainians are fighting this war for us,” said Baerbock.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the free world must renew its resolve to stand behind Ukraine.
“When Putin launched his illegal invasion two years ago, the free world responded with unity. We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this sombre anniversary, we must renew our resolve,” Sunak said, according to a statement released late Friday.
Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to the United States, said that when European Union countries help Ukraine, they are helping themselves, and the same applies to the United States. He added that the “clock is ticking” to bring help to Kiev.
“Right now it's really about the legacy of the greatest generations, the world we live in, 75 years of peace thanks to NATO,” he said, adding that this was “a key moment.” to help Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement Friday calling Canada's support for Ukraine “unwavering and unequivocal.”
According to Trudeau, Canada has imposed “a total of over 2,400 sanctions” against Russia since the invasion began and is working with international partners “to ensure long-term security commitments for Ukraine and ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.”