Two years of Ukraine inspiring world: Western leaders on second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion

On February 24, the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Western leaders and Ukraine's partners expressed their solidarity with Ukraine

They wrote about it on their social media pages.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda

"We have supported, are supporting and will continue to support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom! Now this support is still vital. Regardless of our "war fatigue". The free world must not allow the triumph of Putin and Russia," said Andrzej Duda.

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola

"Two years of defiance under fire. Two years of extraordinary courage by ordinary people. Two years of Ukraine inspiring the world," Metsola wrote.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

"Ukraine will survive because it is strong and courageous and because it has friends in Europe and the world. We are proud to be counted among their friends - today and in our common European future," Scholz wrote.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

On the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Burbock wrote a post in Ukrainian.

"731 days of air raids, school lessons in underground metro stations, destruction and death. We will not allow Putin to deprive Ukraine of its native land and freedom, and we stand by your side as long as you need us. Until you can build your future in peace again," she wrote.

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs spoke about his night in Kyiv from February 23 to 24, 2022, when he was in Ukraine as head of the Foreign Ministry, Nra.lv reports.

"In the middle of the night, it was announced that the airspace was being closed, first over Kharkiv and some other Ukrainian cities. Then suddenly the entire Ukrainian airspace was closed. We didn't really think about sleeping anymore, we were all watching what was happening on social media and television," Rinkēvičs recalls.

According to him, the situation in Kyiv was chaotic and complicated. 

"You can imagine what it means when a city of four million people wakes up to rocket attacks. A large number of people just got into their cars and drove out of the city in all directions. It was a rather chaotic, difficult situation," the Latvian president said.

EU representative Josep Borrell

Josep Borrell said that the European Union has been with Ukraine since February 24, 2022: "We mark two years since Russia’s full-scale brutal aggression against Ukraine. The EU has been at the side of the Ukrainian people since that tragic morning that changed the history of Europe, but will not change its geography again by force."

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot

On the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the minister said that the Netherlands' support "will not falter." "The Netherlands stands behind you every step of the way."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Denmark assured that it will continue to support Ukrainians in their struggle. The statement was accompanied by a video about the support already provided by Denmark, in particular in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv.

NATO

NATO's official social media page posted a video of Ukrainian soldiers who were trained in Western countries reciting the national anthem.