As of: February 24, 2024, 6:37 p.m
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Captured Russian military equipment in a square in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
© ---/kyodo/dpa
Russia's war of aggression against its neighboring country is now in its third year.
Political celebrities from the West are again traveling to Ukraine to support.
But there is no concrete hope.
Kiev/Odessa - Even after two years of war with tens of thousands of deaths, there is no prospect of early peace in Ukraine.
Russia continued to attack the neighboring country on the second anniversary of its large-scale attack.
The target was once again the city of Odessa on the Black Sea, where, according to Ukrainian information, a man was killed by a drone and several people were injured.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived there for a visit in the afternoon.
Ukraine also used drones on Russian territory.
One of the targets was Russia's largest steelworks in the city of Lipetsk, 400 kilometers southeast of Moscow.
G7 assures further support
The group of seven large democratic industrial nations (G7) made it clear with a video link from their heads of state and government that they wanted to continue to support the attacked country - also out of their own interest.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) warned in advance in a video message: “Together with our allies, we must be so strong that no one dares to attack us.” There were again pro-Ukraine rallies in numerous German cities.
On the orders of President Vladimir Putin, Russia began the large-scale attack on its neighbor on the night of February 24, 2022.
It has been occupying the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea since 2014, in violation of international law.
According to UN estimates, at least 10,000 civilians have been killed so far, including hundreds of children.
The number of soldiers killed is kept top secret by both sides.
However, experts assume there are many tens of thousands - significantly more on the Russian side than in the ranks of the Ukrainian army.
Front runs for about 1000 kilometers
Russian troops are currently stationed in a fifth of Ukraine.
The front runs for around 1000 kilometers.
Kiev is also repeatedly the target of attacks.
Nevertheless, several heads of government from the West traveled personally to President Volodymyr Zelensky for the G7 video summit to set an example.
The switch was led by the incumbent G7 chairwoman, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, from Kiev.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also there in person.
Scholz took part from Berlin.
French head of state Emmanuel Macron was represented.
Cemetery in the port city of Odessa.
Today marks the second anniversary of the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
On the anniversary, Zelensky made it clear that his country would never admit defeat.
“Every normal person wants the war to end.
But none of us allow our Ukraine to end.” Von der Leyen and Meloni praised the courage and willingness to defend themselves of the Ukrainian people.
The German Commission President said: “The brave people of Ukraine continue to amaze the world.” At the same time, she announced that a first tranche of 4.5 billion euros from an EU aid fund totaling 50 billion euros would be paid to Ukraine next month .
Meloni assured: “You are not alone.
The security of Ukraine is the security of Europe and vice versa.”
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Security agreements with Italy and Canada
After the G7 video summit there should also be a joint final declaration.
The group includes the USA, Canada, Japan, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany.
In parallel to the discussions, Italy and Canada signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine.
Ukraine already has such agreements with Germany and France.
Fighting on the front lines and mutual attacks with drones continued on the second anniversary.
The port city of Odessa was the destination for a second night in a row.
The residential building hit by a drone is practically in ruins.
Neighboring houses were also damaged.
A few hours later, Baerbock arrived in Odessa together with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba.
This is the Green Party politician's sixth visit to Ukraine since the start of the war.
Drone attack on steelworks
In the Russian city of Lipetsk, the steelworks was on fire after a drone attack on Saturday night.
Governor Igor Artamonov later assured that the fire had been extinguished.
“There is no risk of dangerous substances escaping.” In their defensive campaign, the Ukrainian armed forces repeatedly attack military targets and industrial facilities in Russia used for the war economy.
Helpers clear debris after a nighttime drone attack on Odessa.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The Defense Ministry in Moscow had previously reported the shooting down of several drones in various regions, without Kiev commenting.
The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense force said it took down a Russian A-50 reconnaissance aircraft from the sky over the Russian-controlled Sea of Azov on Friday.
There was no official confirmation from the Russian side.
In many cases, the information provided by the two warring parties cannot be independently verified.
Beriev A-50 reconnaissance aircraft shot down
Zelensky said on Saturday that the downing of the Beriev A-50 reconnaissance aircraft was the result of “cooperation with partners”.
At the same time, he rejected speculation that weapons systems provided by Western partners, possibly Patriot missiles, had been used for the launch.
On behalf of NATO, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg once again assured Ukraine of the support of the Western military alliance.
“Ukraine will join NATO.
The question is not if, but when,” said the Norwegian in a video message on the anniversary.
Putin started the war because he wanted to close the door to the alliance for Ukraine.
He achieved exactly the opposite.
Russia justifies the attack, among other things, by saying that Ukraine joining NATO would threaten its security.
Unlike last year, there was no vote on a resolution against Russia in the General Assembly.
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
According to German military expert Carlo Masala, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine will last for a long time.
“I don’t see an end to this war in 2024, there is nothing that could give us hope,” said the professor at the Bundeswehr University in Munich to the “Augsburger Allgemeine” (Saturday).
“Ukraine will not find peace because Russia still believes it can win this war.” dpa