Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday he was aiming for an “inevitable victory” this year against Russia, supported by many countries and by the EU and the G7 who announced a new strengthening of their sanctions against Moscow.
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In Russia, the number two of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also promised “victory”, affirming that Russia was ready to go to the “borders of Poland”.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who has become the face of the Ukrainian resistance all over the world, has set the goal of defeating the Russian giant “this year”.
“If the partners keep their word and meet the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us,” he said at a press conference.
“If General (and American Chief of Staff Mark) Milley wants us to repel the enemy more quickly, he must accelerate the delivery of weapons”, he added, seated in an armchair, dressed in a black sweater and khaki pants, flag and coat of arms of Ukraine behind him.
Visiting Kyiv, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced earlier the arrival of the first four Leopard 2 battle tanks, and that other tanks would arrive “in a few days”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country would deliver four additional Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, bringing its contribution in this area to eight.
The Swedish presidency of the EU also indicated that the union had approved a new set of sanctions against the Russian economy on Friday evening.
“Today the EU approved a 10th sanctions package which includes, among other things, stricter restrictions on the export of dual-use technology and goods, targeted restrictive measures against persons and entities who support the war , disseminate propaganda or deliver drones used by Russia in the war and measures against Russian disinformation”, indicated the Swedish presidency.
In Kyiv, President Zelensky paid tribute in the morning to Ukrainian soldiers on the front and those who fell in battle, during a ceremony on the forecourt of Saint Sophia Cathedral.
little brother at war
Commemorations were held locally, including in Boutcha, the site of a massacre of civilians blamed on Russian troops.
Galyna Gamoulets, 64, is a resident of this Kyiv suburb. “My husband’s little brother is at war, in Bakhmout (…) He says it’s very hard,” she says, referring to this eastern city, the scene of a battle. fierce since the summer.
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Around the world, the tone was generally one of solidarity with Ukraine. Demonstrations were organized in many cities.
The UN General Assembly on Thursday demanded by an overwhelming majority an “immediate” withdrawal of Russian troops. But there were notable abstentions, starting with China, Russia’s strategic partner.
The leaders of NATO, France, Germany and the EU all reiterated their support for Ukraine. The G7 has threatened “severe costs” for countries that continue to help Russia circumvent sanctions.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated Thursday evening in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. In Berlin, the carcass of a Russian tank was installed in front of the Russian Embassy, the barrel turned towards it.
In Hollywood, around 30 stars conveyed their “love” and addressed their prayers to Ukraine.
“We are thinking of you, sending you love, sending you our strength, our prayers and always keep you in our hearts,” Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts said.
“And the force will always be with you,” promised Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” saga.
proxy war
The United States announced on Friday, in coordination with the G7 countries, a new salvo, targeting, among others, Russian companies and people in the metal, mining, military equipment or semiconductor sectors.
China called for holding Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, citing respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity and Russian security claims. An equation hitherto impossible.
Westerners have largely swept away this initiative, but Mr. Zelensky deemed it “necessary” to “work” with Beijing and said he planned a meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping.
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Moscow said it “appreciated” the Chinese effort, but considered that the integrity of Ukraine could not be respected, judging that the annexation claimed by Moscow of Ukrainian regions was “a new territorial reality”.
Vladimir Putin unleashed in the early morning of February 24, 2022 the worst conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
A year later, entire cities have been destroyed, part of the country is occupied and the human toll is more than 150,000 dead and wounded on both sides according to Western estimates. Some eight million Ukrainians have been displaced.
After the initial shock, the Ukrainian army inflicted a series of setbacks on the Kremlin, repelling the invader from Kyiv, from the north, from the northeast and into the south. With winter, the front stabilized, but both sides are preparing new offensives.
Vladimir Putin has accused the West all week of waging a war against him by proxy, while vowing to “methodically” continue his offensive.