Ukraine was “reborn” when Russia invaded it six months ago, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, marking the 31st anniversary of his country’s independence from the Soviet Union by vowing to completely expel Russian forces.
After days of warnings that Moscow could use the anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day to launch more missile attacks on major cities, the second-largest city, Kharkiv, was under curfew after months of shelling.
The anniversary fell exactly six months after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine. Wednesday’s celebrations were cancelled, but many people marked the day by wearing embroidered shirts that are part of the national costume.
In an emotional speech to his compatriots, Zelensky said Russia’s attack revived the spirit of the nation.
“A new nation appeared in the world on February 24 at 4 in the morning. It was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, or scream, or get scared. One that did not run away. That did not give up. And He didn’t forget,” he said.
The 44-year-old leader, speaking in front of kyiv’s central independence monument in his characteristic combat uniform, vowed to recapture the occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, as well as the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
“We will not sit at the negotiating table out of fear, with a gun pointed at our heads. For us, the most terrible iron is not missiles, planes and tanks, but shackles. Not trenches, but shackles.” , said.
Later, he and his wife joined other religious leaders for a service at Saint Sophia Cathedral and laid flowers at a memorial to fallen soldiers.
Russia has made little progress in Ukraine in recent months after its troops were driven out of kyiv in the first weeks of the war.
Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines in the east say they are more motivated than their enemy.
“All our people are cheering us on,” a soldier named Yevhen, who declined to give his last name, told Reuters. “The whole country is, and also other countries that help us. Our fighting spirit is greater than theirs.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told a meeting in Uzbekistan that Russia deliberately slowed down what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine to avoid civilian casualties.
A “sad and tragic milestone”
The six months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine represent a “sad and tragic milestone,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday.
“Today marks a sad and tragic milestone, (on the completion) of six months since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24,” said Guterres, who also denounced the consequences of this “absurd war” that go “far beyond Ukraine. ”.
In particular, he reiterated “his deep concern” about the military activities around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
“Any further escalation of the situation could lead to self-destruction,” he warned.
In a video address to the Security Council, Zelensky said Russia “should unconditionally stop nuclear blackmail” and “completely withdraw” from a nuclear plant in Ukraine.
In southern Ukraine, both sides accuse each other of having fired missiles and artillery at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, raising fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said the UN nuclear watchdog hopes to gain access soon, while Russia said it detained two Ukrainian employees at the plant for passing information to Ukrainian authorities.
international support
US President Joe Biden announced the award of nearly $3 billion worth of arms and equipment to Ukraine in the “largest tranche of security aid to date.”
The announcement comes as officials in Washington warn that Russia appears to be planning new attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days.
“The United States is committed to supporting the people of Ukraine as they continue to struggle to defend their sovereignty,” Biden said in a statement announcing the package.
The United States has committed approximately $10.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Biden administration. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $12.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
The NATO chief for his part told the Ukrainians that they are an inspiration to the world. “You can count on the support of NATO. For as long as it takes,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a video message.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Ukraine for its “indomitable” resistance to the Russian invasion during a surprise visit to kyiv on Wednesday, saying now was not the time to promote a “shaky negotiating plan” with Moscow.
Johnson, who will leave office next month, said it was vital that Europe maintain its military and economic support for Ukraine, even as rising energy and food prices are causing hardship for some consumers.
“We also know that if we are paying for Vladimir Putin’s evil in our energy bills, the people of Ukraine are paying with their blood,” Johnson said.
“And that’s why we know we have to stay the course. Because if Putin succeeds, then no country on Russia’s perimeter would be safe, and … (that) would be a green light for all the autocrats in the world that borders can be changed by force.
Pope Francis asked the world on Wednesday to “avoid the risk of a nuclear disaster” in Ukraine and reiterated that the “war is crazy” six months after the start of the Russian invasion of that country.
“I renew my invitation to implore the peace of the Lord for the beloved Ukrainian people, who for six months have suffered the horror of war,” Francis said during the traditional Wednesday general audience at the Vatican.
In his message he urged “that concrete measures be taken to end the war and avoid the risk of a nuclear disaster in Zaporizhia,” he cried.
“I think of so much cruelty, of so many innocent people who are paying for the madness, the madness of all sides, because war is madness,” he said.
With information from AFP and Reuters
