War Anniversary: Zelensky accuses Putin of failing to break Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve his goals in Ukraine, four years after the war began.

In a video message marking the anniversary of the war, Zelensky said Putin tried to take over Ukraine but did not succeed. He praised Ukrainians for staying strong and resisting Russian forces. He also said Ukraine is ready to do everything possible to achieve a strong and lasting peace.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have died in what has become the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. Large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine have been destroyed.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, restarted last year with support from the United States, have not stopped the fighting. Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s land and wants full control of the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has rejected this demand and says it will not sign any peace deal without strong security guarantees from its allies to prevent another invasion.

Several European leaders visited Ukraine to show support. Among them were Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen said Europe would continue to support Ukraine financially and militarily and would stand with the country until peace is restored on Ukraine’s terms.

In recent months, Russia has increased attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities, leaving millions without electricity and heating during winter. Western countries have placed heavy sanctions on Russia, forcing it to sell much of its oil to Asian markets instead.

The war has badly damaged Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. A recent joint report by the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations estimates that rebuilding Ukraine could cost about $588 billion over the next ten years.

Russia says it launched the invasion to stop Ukraine from joining NATO. However, Ukraine says the war is an attempt by Russia to control the country again.

As the war continues, both sides remain divided over territory and security issues, with no clear end in sight.