Zelensky praises Ukrainian heroism in three years of war

Zelensky issued that statement on the day it takes place three years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022.

Thank you for all those who protect and help Ukraine. For everyone who works for Ukraine. And, let the memory of all those who gave their lives for the state and our people” be eternal, Zelensky said.

To mark this day, he called an international security summit in Kiev.

European Union leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will participate.

We're in Kiev today because Ukraine is Europe. In this struggle for survival, it is not just the fate of Ukraine that is at stake. It's the fate of Europe”, wrote von der Leyen on social networks.

The winner of elections in Germany and the potential future Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, condemned Russian aggression and war crimes.

Now more than ever, we have to put Ukraine in a position of power. For a fair peace, the attack country must be part of peace negotiations”, Merz wrote on the X platform.

Concerns in Europe grew after United States President Donald Trump expressed his readiness to resume diplomatic relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine, putting Europe and Kiev aside.

EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas said the agreement without Europe cannot function.

“You can discuss what you want with Putin, but if it's Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe should agree to the” agreement, Kallas said on the war anniversary in Ukraine.

In London, the British government is expected today to announce a new round of sanctions against Russia.

Protests against Ukraine are expected to take place outside Russian embassies worldwide, including Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Lithuania, Sweden, and the United States.

On the front of the war, the Ukrainian Army said it has down 113 of the 185 suspected Russian attackers, who were thrown into 12 regions during the night, including the capital, Kiev.

Seventy-one other drones disappeared from radar after they were blocked.

Ukrainian Drons, meanwhile, hit an oil refinery in the Russian town of Riyazan, south of Moscow.

The three - year war killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians and destroyed entire areas of Ukraine.

According to figures quoted by Zelensky, at least 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and about 380,000 were injured.

Meanwhile, Russian victims include those killed and wounded exceed 700,000, according to Western estimates in December. REL