Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy marked the anniversary by rallying citizens and appealing to international allies, saying, ‘Putin hasn’t achieved his goals’ and that they have “defended our independence.”
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the anniversary to rally Ukrainians at home and appeal to international allies, warning that the war’s outcome remains uncertain without continued Western support.
“Today marks exactly four years since Vladimir Putin began his three-day push to take Kyiv,” Zelenskyy said, highlighting Ukraine’s steadfast resistance. “Behind those words stand millions of our people—immense courage, incredibly hard work, endurance. We have preserved our independence and statehood despite the scale of the assault.”
He said that “Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war.”
‘Beginning of the end’ but caution urged
In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy described the conflict as the “beginning of the end” of Europe’s largest war since the Second World War. He cautioned, however, against mistaking negotiations for lasting peace, warning that without firm Western security guarantees, Moscow could use any ceasefire to rebuild its military for another offensive.
Zelenskyy also urged European leaders to accelerate Ukraine’s European Union accession process, suggesting a clear target date, ideally as early as 2027.
No trust in Russian promises
Rejecting ideas circulating among some Western officials that Russia would end the war if Ukraine surrendered the eastern Donbas region, Zelenskyy said: “Honestly, I do not believe that this is all that Russia demands. Our withdrawal from Donbas would not end the war. Russia is Russia—you cannot trust them.”
Direct appeal to the US
Speaking directly to US President Donald Trump in a CNN interview, Zelenskyy urged Washington not to abandon Ukraine. “I want the US president to stay on our side,” he said, emphasising that America is “far too big and too important” to step away.
“They have to stay with a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. It’s all about himself. And his country is in the prison of one person,” Zelenskyy added.
4 years anniversary of invasion
Russia’s invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, with missile strikes and ground assaults, initially saw rapid advances collapse within weeks, forcing Moscow to concentrate on eastern and southern regions. The war has since become prolonged and costly, marked by shifting front lines and frequent drone and missile attacks.
Ahead of the fourth anniversary, Zelenskyy reiterated his plea to Trump from Kyiv: don’t walk away. With the conflict entering its fifth year, he stressed that the United States remains crucial to Ukraine’s fight and expressed hope that Trump would reaffirm support during his upcoming State of the Union address.
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