World leaders support Ukraine: Two Years of Russia's Ongoing War

World leaders and international institutions have issued statements of support for Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale military invasion, Ukrinform reports.

Ukraine, its people and military demonstrate courage and resilience in defence of the homeland and continue to make progress on the battlefield with the support and assistance of our Allies. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a televised address on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He reminded that despite many fears, Ukraine did not collapse within weeks, but instead managed to liberate half of the territory that had been seized by Russia since the beginning of the invasion, push Russia out of a large part of the Black Sea and inflict heavy losses on Russian troops.

"But most importantly, Ukraine has preserved its freedom and independence. This was possible thanks to courage and determination, which were bolstered by massive military and economic assistance from Allies. In the past days and weeks alone, Allies have announced new assistance packages worth billions of dollars. These include key capabilities such as artillery ammunition, air defence equipment and combat boats. As well as equipment and spare parts for F-16 aircraft, drones and mine clearance equipment," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression inspires the world, wrote Roberta Mecola, President of the European Parliament, on social networking site X.

"Two years of resistance under fire. Two years of extraordinary courage of ordinary people. Two years of Ukraine inspiring the world," she said.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell expressed confidence that Ukraine will win, and the aggressor country and all those involved in the crime of war will be brought to justice.

"Today marks two years since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. The EU has stood by the people of Ukraine since that tragic morning that changed the history of Europe, but failed to change its geography by force again. I was woken up on the morning of 24 February 2022 by reports that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Three things were as obvious to me then as they are now: Ukraine will win. The EU will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Russia will be held accountable," a senior EU official wrote on social media X.

German officials have once again reiterated their support for the Ukrainian people.

"Ukraine will survive because it is strong and courageous, and because it has friends in Europe and the world. We are proud to count ourselves among their friends - today and in our common European future," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on social networking site X. 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock posted a message in Ukrainian on the same social network.

On 24 February, the Bundestag raised the Ukrainian national flag over one of the towers of the Reichstag building. 

Denmark, which signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine the day before, assured that it would continue to support Ukrainians in their struggle. This was reported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the social network X.

"Two years ago, Russia launched a brutal, illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Denmark supports the Ukrainian people and their struggle for freedom and justice," the post reads.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also posted a video about the support already provided by Denmark, in particular in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv.

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that Ukraine's fight against Russia is not only Ukraine's fight, but also important values that are being defended: democracy, freedom and the right to self-determination. He wrote about this on the social network X.

"Today we are reflecting on the fact that two years ago, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Two incredibly difficult years that cost many Ukrainian lives. But also two years during which Ukraine has continued to stand and make progress. This is not only Ukraine's struggle. It is also about the important values we stand for: democracy, freedom and the right to self-determination. And it concerns our own security, because if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he will not stop there," Rutte wrote.

King Wilhelm-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the social network X noted the heroism of Ukrainians in the struggle, calling it an example for everyone, and assured of their support.

In addition to her address on the 2nd anniversary, Minister of Defence Kaysa Ollongren shared an infographic on the arms supplies already made and to be made to Ukraine.

"The Netherlands will sign a long-term security agreement with Ukraine. Therefore, we will continue our support now and in the future. Ukraine's tireless struggle is crucial for security in Europe. We must continue to stand united against Putin's aggression," she said.

"Our support will not waver. The Netherlands stands by your side every step of the way," assured Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Hanke Bruins Slot.

In Finland, the government and president expressed support for Ukraine.

"Finland will steadfastly support Ukraine for as long as necessary. Ukraine and Ukrainians deserve a just and lasting peace," the Finnish government said in a statement.

At the same time, outgoing President Sauli Niinistö noted the heroism of Ukrainians in the fight for their freedom and stressed that Ukraine should be provided with full support.

"We have to make sure that we have the capacity and resources to provide this support in the long term. We need to quickly increase our defence production," he said.

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala stressed that Prague fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and called for not being afraid to stand up to those who threaten peace on the entire continent. He said this in a video message on the social network X.

"Since the beginning of the war, the Czech Republic has clearly stood by Ukraine... The Czech Republic is not, cannot and has no right to remain indifferent to this aggression," the Czech prime minister said, adding that his country, like many others, is providing assistance to Ukraine.

Thus, according to Fiala, the Czech Republic also bears its share of responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the entire region. It is fully in the Czech Republic's own interests to ensure that the Russian aggressor does not succeed, the prime minister said.

"If Ukraine were to fall, it would only be a matter of time before someone else was threatened... We should not convince ourselves that Ukraine is enough for Putin," the politician said, adding that the Czechs cannot turn a blind eye.

"We all want peace, and that is why we have no right to be afraid to stand up to those who threaten peace," said Petr Fiala.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on Russian aggression against Ukraine on its website.

"The Czech Republic fully supports Ukraine's right to self-defence and the restoration of its territorial integrity within the 1991 borders, including the Crimean Peninsula. We will stand by Ukraine and provide its government, army and citizens with all necessary assistance as long as Ukraine needs it," the statement reads.

It notes that it is in the interests of the whole of Europe, its own security, that Ukraine becomes a member of the EU and NATO - "an aspiration that the Czech Republic fully supports".

Russia's attempts to change state borders by force, to weaken the West by spreading disinformation and distrust in society, and to stir up hostility towards the West in third countries must be cut off in the interests of all democratic and free countries, the diplomatic ministry stressed.

The statement says that two years ago, Putin launched a large-scale neocolonial war against Ukraine, but Russia's aggression has been going on for 10 years - since 2014, when its army annexed Crimea and fuelled the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia's goal is to defeat and break Ukraine, weaken NATO and the EU as much as possible, and disrupt the West and the security architecture in Europe, the document says, concluding with the words: "Glory to Ukraine!".

The President of Latvia expressed his support for Ukrainians on the day of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A video of Edgars Rinkēvičs singing the Ukrainian anthem was posted on his official page on social network X.