By Micah Jonah
February 24, 2026
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the nation’s resilience as Russia’s war enters its fifth year, asserting that Moscow has failed to achieve its objectives or break Ukrainian morale.
Speaking on February 24, the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskyy said, “We have defended our independence. We have not lost our statehood. Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians. He has not won this war.”
More than a dozen European leaders, including European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, traveled to Kyiv to show support and reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine. The EU pledged continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic aid, including delivery of a planned €90-billion loan, previously blocked by Hungary. Leaders of the G7 and the “Coalition of the Willing” also emphasized backing ongoing US-led peace talks, called for an unconditional Russian ceasefire.
Russia currently occupies about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, including parts of Donbas, Zaporizhia, and Kherson. Progress for Moscow has been slow, with the Institute for the Study of War reporting a 0.79 percent territorial gain over the past year the largest advance since 2022. Peace negotiations mediated by the US remain deadlocked over territorial and security guarantees, with Ukraine refusing to concede Donbas without assurances against future Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for a “strong, dignified, and lasting peace” but emphasized that any agreement must be acceptable to the Ukrainian people. Analysts note that Ukraine has already made more concessions than many citizens support, while Russia maintains a maximalist stance.
The human cost of the war is severe. Analysts estimate up to two million military casualties on both sides, with Russia alone reporting 325,000 soldier deaths from February 2022 to December 2025, the highest for any major power in a conflict since World War II. On the streets of Kyiv, war fatigue is evident, though ceremonies continue to honour fallen defenders.
“Ukraine continues to strengthen its defence industry and Euro-Atlantic alliances,” said former defence adviser Yuriy Sak. “Russia is pushing to annex more territory, but Ukraine will not surrender its lands or independence.”
Despite ongoing hostilities, Zelenskyy’s message is clear: Ukraine remains determined to defend its sovereignty and achieve a peace that reflects the sacrifices of its people.
