The President of the European Commission visited Ukraine this Saturday to mark the solidarity of Europeans, two years to the day after the large-scale invasion by the Russian army.
Ukraine is celebrating the second anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion this Saturday, with foreign officials including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonio and Canadian Justin Trudeau expected in the capital, Kyiv, as a sign of solidarity, as Ukrainian forces run out of ammunition and weapons and Western aid hangs in the balance.
Among these visitors, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
This is what she said upon her arrival in Kyiv. “My visit to Kyiv marks the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. I come to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the courageous Ukrainian people. We recently made major announcements in terms of financial support for Ukraine, but “It is also very important to express our moral support. And of course, this trip will be an opportunity to discuss all aspects of our European support for Ukraine.”
It is a dark atmosphere that nevertheless hangs over the country as the conflict enters its third year. Ukrainian troops remain facing growing challenges on the front line, amid dwindling ammunition and personnel reserves, and after withdrawing from a strategic eastern city that gave Moscow the one of its greatest assets. victories.
On Friday, the French president also wanted to mark the day’s event by publishing a post of support for the Ukrainian people.
The anniversary comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky fired military commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, replacing him with Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, marking the most significant reshuffle in the top brass since February 24, 2022.
Russia still controls about a quarter of the country after Ukraine failed to meet expectations, with its summer counteroffensive failing to produce major breakthroughs. Meanwhile, millions of Ukrainians continue to live in precarious conditions amid fighting, and many more face constant struggles under Russian occupation. Most are still waiting for a Ukrainian liberation which has not yet happened.
Uncertainty also remains while in the US Congress, Republicans are still blocking $60 billion in military aid that Ukraine desperately needs in the short term.
US President Joe Biden has linked the recent loss of the defensive stronghold of Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region, after months of grueling battles, to stalled US aid. Fears have since grown that Ukrainian forces would face similar difficulties in other parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line as they came under increasing pressure from Russian assaults.
The EU, for its part, recently approved an aid program of 50 billion euros, despite resistance from Hungary, intended to support the Ukrainian economy.
