On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, top European politicians, led by Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kyiv to demonstrate solidarity with the fighting nation. Despite solemn declarations of unwavering support, the situation on the front remains difficult, and the European Union is grappling with challenges in ammunition supplies. Simultaneously, the Kremlin has for the first time admitted that the goals of the "special military operation" have not yet been fully achieved.
Solidarity Summit in Kyiv
EU and Canadian leaders visited the Ukrainian capital on the 4th anniversary of the war, declaring financial and military support until victory.
Kremlin on Unachieved Goals
The Kremlin spokesman admitted that the invasion's objectives have not yet been achieved, which is interpreted as a sign of a protracted conflict.
Ammunition Supply Crisis
Despite political promises, Europe is grappling with logistical and production problems, failing to deliver the promised number of shells to Ukraine.
Scale of Human Losses
Data indicates nearly 1.8 million casualties (killed and wounded) on both sides of the conflict since the start of the invasion in 2022.
The commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion became an occasion for broad demonstrations of Western unity with Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with the prime ministers of Belgium, Italy, and Canada, visited Kyiv to pay tribute to the victims of the conflict. During the ceremony, it was emphasized that Ukraine's future is inextricably linked to the European Community. However, behind the facade of diplomatic assurances lies growing concern about the production capacity of the European defense industry, which is failing to keep up with the promised deliveries of artillery shells for the Ukrainian army. Surprising signals came from Moscow, where Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov publicly admitted that the set military objectives have not yet been achieved. This is a rare display of realism in official Russian communication, though it is accompanied by constant rhetoric about the need to continue fighting until "final victory." The situation is complicated by reports of enormous human losses; it is estimated that the number of dead, wounded, and missing on both sides may have reached 1.8 million people. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed to increasing pressure from the USA, which paradoxically is becoming a greater political challenge for his country than Russia's direct actions. The Russian-Ukrainian territorial conflict has been ongoing since 2014, when the Russian Federation carried out the illegal annexation of Crimea and instigated a separatist uprising in Donbas. The full-scale invasion of February 24, 2022, radically changed the security architecture in Europe, triggering the largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II.The European Union is currently preparing new mechanisms to protect Ukraine from another crisis winter, focusing on stabilizing the energy sector. There have also been reports of plans to introduce an embargo on Russian oil for Hungary, which would occur after the upcoming elections there. Embargo is one of the key tools of economic pressure used by Brussels against Russia. Despite war fatigue, leaders such as Mark Rutte and Emmanuel Macron are calling for increased defense spending and accelerated military aid, warning of the tragic consequences of any potential delay. „More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free.” — Ursula von der Leyen
Mentioned People
- Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission visiting Kyiv.
- Wołodymyr Zełenski — President of Ukraine criticizing political pressure from the USA.
- Dmitrij Pieskow — Kremlin spokesman who admitted that the war goals have not been achieved.