On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders have voiced their support for the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that 2023 will be the year of victory and US President Joe Biden said NATO is “stronger and more unified than ever before”. Washington announced a new $2bn package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine, while NATO said Russia bears full responsibility for the war and must end its “illegal war”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Russian President Vladimir Putin will not reach his aims in Ukraine and urged him to end the war. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his support for Ukraine, while the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the national blue and yellow colours of the country. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain has stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and imposed more sanctions on Russia.
China’s foreign ministry released a 12-point paper for a comprehensive ceasefire and gradual de-escalation in Ukraine, saying “conflict and war benefit no one”. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a “peace speech” later on Friday. King Charles III praised Ukraine’s “remarkable courage and resilience” and said the people have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked attack on their nation.
On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders have expressed their solidarity with the country. US President Joe Biden said NATO is “stronger and more unified than ever before”, while Washington announced a new $2bn package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine. NATO said Russia bears full responsibility for the war and must end its “illegal war”, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Putin to end the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his support for Ukraine, while the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the national blue and yellow colours of the country. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain has stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and imposed more sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that 2023 will be the year of victory.
China’s foreign ministry released a 12-point paper for a comprehensive ceasefire and gradual de-escalation in Ukraine, saying “conflict and war benefit no one”. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a “peace speech” later on Friday, while King Charles III praised Ukraine’s “remarkable courage and resilience”. All these leaders have shown their support for Ukraine in this difficult time and have called for an end to the conflict.