Western leaders in Kyiv for 2nd anniversary of Russian invasion

By Stefan J. Bos

On the windy Hostomel airfield northwest of the capital, Kyiv, leaders tried to give encouraging words. But President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared exhausted as his nation entered its third year of war with a mighty Russian military.

Many thousands are believed to have given their lives in the battle for Avdiivka, a ruined strategic city in the east from where the remaining Ukrainian troops were recently forced to withdraw.

The war is believed to have killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people, wiping out generations for whom life had just begun.

Yet the president of the European Union's executive European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, pledged that the West would not forget Ukraine despite armed conflicts elsewhere in the world, including in Gaza. "Whatever difficulties you face today, we're here to tell you that Europe will continue to stand at your side for as long as it takes. With more financial support, more ammunition, more training for your troops, more aid defenses, and more investments in Europe's and Ukraine's defense industries," she stressed.      

Talking in the backdrop of a plane wreckage, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told soldiers present that she will remember those she views as brave warriors. "And here we are today to say: 'Thanks to those men and women who on the 24th of February two years ago did not run away and instead fought for themselves, for their families, for what they hold most dear," Meloni said.  

Broader fight

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed her words. "Your fight is our fight. You are fighting for your sovereignty, for your territory, for your language, for your culture, for your democracy. But also [you fight] for our democracy," he said.

Yet, while the EU and the United States announced new sanctions against Russia, tensions are emerging among allies regarding how long the war can continue.

On the eve of the second anniversary, Hungary, which favors peace talks and has close relations with Russia, blocked an attempt for all EU member states to sign a declaration marking the 2nd anniversary of Russia's invasion.

And as the war enters its third year, new divisions are emerging in Ukrainian society between those who fought and those who did not. Between those who left and those who stayed, those who have lived under Russian occupation and those who have not.

Ukrainian President Zelensky will face an uphill battle to keep his nation and its allies united in a war that seems far from over.