Kyiv, Ukraine – As the war in Ukraine entered its fifth year on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Vladimir Putin had failed to achieve his objectives, even as the Kremlin vowed to continue what it calls a “military operation.” The anniversary was marked by both defiance from Ukraine and a renewed commitment to fighting from Russia, despite the immense human cost and widespread devastation.
Zelenskyy, in a video address featuring footage of early Ukrainian resistance, stated, “Putin has not achieved his goals. He did not break the Ukrainians. He did not win this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace – and to ensure there is justice.” He emphasized that any peace agreement must be “accepted by Ukrainians” and not come at the cost of surrendering the sacrifices made during the conflict.
The Kremlin, however, signaled no intention of backing down. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia has not yet achieved all of its aims in Ukraine, and the military operation will continue. “The goals haven’t been fully achieved yet, which is why the military operation continues,” Peskov said.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and displaced millions. The United Nations has verified approximately 15,000 civilian deaths, but acknowledges the actual number is likely significantly higher. Much of eastern Ukraine lies in ruins, and the country faces an estimated $588 billion in reconstruction costs over the next decade, according to a joint report from the World Bank, the EU, and the Ukrainian government.
European solidarity with Ukraine was demonstrated by visits from Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Kyiv on Tuesday. EU leaders also visited a heavily damaged power plant in the capital. Zelenskyy, addressing the European Parliament alongside EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, urged Brussels to accelerate Ukraine’s path toward EU membership, warning of potential Russian interference if the process is delayed.
Despite ongoing US-led mediation efforts in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, talks between Russia and Ukraine remain stalled, primarily over territorial disputes. Russia is seeking control of the entirety of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, even as Ukraine refuses to cede territory and is seeking robust security guarantees from allies, including the United States, to prevent future aggression.
In Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv that witnessed widespread atrocities during the initial Russian occupation, residents described a life irrevocably altered by the war. Yevgenia Antoniuk, 43, recounted a poignant moment from 2022, stating, “He burst into tears and began kissing my hands. At that moment, I hated Russians so deeply and strongly that I realised that neither I, nor my children, nor my grandchildren would ever forget or forgive them.”
The war has instilled a mix of fatigue and resolve among Ukrainians. Valentyn Oleksiyenko, a 29-year-old veteran wounded in the fighting, expressed a grim outlook, stating, “There will be no victory for us in this war. The price we are paying for it is too high.” Isakiy Zinkevich, a priest in Bucha, another town synonymous with Russian war crimes, emphasized Ukraine’s resilience: “We have shown that no matter who the enemy is that comes to our land, People can repel them.”
In Moscow, President Putin told agents of his FSB security service that Ukraine had failed to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia, but had increased sabotage attacks within Russian-held territory. The conflict continues with no clear end in sight, and both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
