Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky
is giving a speech to mark a year of the war in Kiev's Hagia Sophia and called for a
minute's silence to commemorate "the heroes"
who are fighting to resist the Russian invasion.
"Glory to all who are fighting now," he said.
"Your effort brings victory closer, and decides whether Ukraine will exist," he said.
"Every day depends on you, Ukrainian soldier. You are the most important person, you are the reason millions of Ukrainians are still alive today. You are the reason why victory will sound," Zelensky said.
Today the Polish prime minister, Tadeusz Morawiecki, is visiting Kiev.
"Russia must lose the war so that it stops wanting to conquer
the territories it no longer has control over as it once did": said the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video message addressed to Lithuania and taken up by the Guardian.
"Russian revanchism - continued Zelensky - must forget forever about Kiev, Vinius, Chisinau and Warsaw, our brothers in Latvia and Estonia, Georgia and every other country that is now threatened" by Moscow.
The commemoration
During the minute of silence, the seconds were marked by the sound of drums.
Those present then shouted the slogan "glory to Ukraine".
Zelensky, who wore a camouflage jacket, thanked the Ukrainian army, intelligence services, security forces, police for their daily sacrifice.
"Glory to you and all who help every day, fighting and saving lives, Glory to our heroes! Glory to Ukraine!", he concluded.
Zelensky presented medals and honors to the soldiers during the ceremony and to the families of the soldiers who died at the front.
Memorial ceremonies will be held in other parts of the country.
In the early hours of the morning, Kiev bells rang to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion.
ANSA Agency
Ukraine: Meloni, Putin's plan has failed - World
The premier on the anniversary of the Russian military offensive in Ukraine: "Putin's goal was to make Ukraine capitulate and then turn its expansionist aims to other neighboring states, not just Europe" (ANSA)
The war on the ground
The Defense Ministry of Ukraine, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Russian invasion, let it be known that
Kiev is "preparing a counter-offensive"
.
"We will strike harder and from greater distances, in the air, on land, at sea and in cyberspace. There will be our counter-offensive. We are working hard to prepare," wrote Minister Oleksy Reznikov on Facebook.
Zelensky's speech
"On February 24, 2022, millions of us made a choice:
not a white flag but a blue and yellow one
. Not fleeing, but facing.
Resisting and fighting
. It was a year of pain, of tears, of faith and unity. And during this year we remained invincible. And we know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!": wrote the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky on his Twitter account for the anniversary of the Russian invasion of his country.
Zelensky accompanied his message with an edited video of images from this year of war.
In a speech broadcast on social media, the Ukrainian president said that "
Ukraine has inspired and united the world
".
And that "it won't stop until the killers are brought to justice".
"
The world has seen what Ukraine is capable of. They are the new heroes
.
The defenders of Kiev, the defenders of Azovstal.
Enterprises made by entire cities.
Karkhiv, Chernihiv, Mariupol, Kherson, Mykholaiv, Gostomel, Volnovalka, Bucha, Irpin, Okhtyrka - heroic cities.
The capitals of invincibility," he added. "A year ago, on this very day, from this very place, around seven in the morning, I addressed you with a short statement.
It only lasted 67 seconds.
It contained the two most important things, then and now.
That Russia has started a full-scale war against us.
And that we are strong.
We are ready for anything
.
We will defeat everyone.
Because we are Ukraine!". "That's how February 24, 2022 began.
The longest day of our lives.
The most difficult day in our modern history.
We woke up early and haven't slept since."
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The position of the European Union
"Since the beginning of the war, Putin has failed in his goal of dividing the EU. Instead of wiping Ukraine off the map, he has faced an opposition that is stronger than ever. Ukraine has as a witness to the strength of those who oppose for freedom. Ukraine will prevail because the EU will be by its side and our support will continue".
This was stated by the president of the EU Commission
Ursula von der Leyen
speaking Estonian.
"Ukraine has already chosen Europe, she has already chosen the unity of our values. In these dark times the hearts of Ukrainians are warmed by the hope that they can join Europe," stressed von der Leyen.
“We stand firmly with Ukraine, determined as always: to support Ukraine financially, economically and militarily. Our member states are delivering military equipment. And we will use joint procurement to deliver urgent military supplies to Ukraine, such as , the 155 mm ammunition. We are working with our defense industry on production of this ammunition and other equipment needed by the Ukrainian forces".
"We stand firmly by Ukraine's side, determined as always: to support the
Ukraine financially, economically and militarily.
Our Member States are delivering military equipment.
And we will use joint procurement to deliver urgent military supplies to Ukraine, such as 155mm ammunition.
We are working with our defense industry to produce these munitions and other equipment needed by the Ukrainian forces."
"Today is a dark anniversary. For Ukraine. For Europe. And for the world. For one year Russia waged war on Ukraine. And for one year Ukraine fought back with courage. A free Ukraine and independent is a free and independent Europe. Ukraine will prevail".
This is what the president of the EU Council
Charles Michel
declares .
Macron to the Ukrainians: "France is by your side"
"Ukrainians, France stays by your side. To solidarity, victory and peace": the French president, Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet, one year after Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Among the many demonstrations of solidarity from France to the country hit by the war of Vladimir Putin, the Eiffel Tower - the symbolic monument of Paris - is lit up in these days with the colors of Ukraine.
A minute of silence in the UK
The United Kingdom has just commemorated the first anniversary of the start of the Russian war in Ukraine with a minute of national silence observed throughout the country, starting with the headquarters of the various British institutions.
The initiative was kicked off by Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak
from Downing Street, where the Kiev ambassador in London and Ukrainian military units trained on the island were invited for the occasion.
The door at number 10 is adorned with a wreath of flowers, in memory of the fallen.
ANSA Agency
Ukraine, China's 12-point plan, no to the use of nuclear weapons - Asia
Nuclear weapons "cannot be used" and nuclear war "cannot be fought".
It is one of the 12 points of the document released by China for a solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
Skeptical NATO: "China has no credibility, it has never condemned the invasion" (ANSA)
Virtual summit with Biden and the G7 leader
On the occasion of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the White House reports in a statement,
US President Joe Biden will have a virtual meeting with the leaders of the G7 and the Ukrainian president at 3 pm Italian time
.
Biden and the other G7 leaders will reaffirm their commitment to "continue to coordinate efforts to support Ukraine and make Russia pay the costs of this war", reports the White House.
ANSA Agency
Ukraine, Medvedev: "We will win in Ukraine then a new Helsinki" - World
"Victory will be won" by Russia in Ukraine and "we will take back our territories" said the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council.
After "fundamental agreements on real borders or a new Helsinki pact" (ANSA)
On February 24, millions of us made a choice.
Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one.
Not fleeing, but facing.
Resisting & fighting.
It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity.
And this year, we remained invincible.
We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!
pic.twitter.com/oInWvssjOI
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
Aid for 2 billion from the US
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that Washington will provide
another tranche of military aid to Ukraine amounting to 2 billion dollars
.
Sullivan did not provide details about these new deliveries.
The senior official, who accompanied Joe Biden on a surprise visit to Kiev this week, added that the US administration is constantly wondering how to "give Ukraine the tools it needs to win".
