Amidst dwindling ammunition and foreign aid uncertainties, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine extended a warm welcome to Western leaders in Kyiv on Saturday, marking the somber occasion of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Sharing a video from Hostomel airfield, Zelenskyy stood alongside Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Reflecting on the tumultuous events of the past two years, Zelenskyy emphasized the shift from confronting enemy forces to standing with allies and partners, particularly at the airport just outside Kyiv, which witnessed Russian paratroopers’ unsuccessful attempt to seize it during the war’s initial days.
The gathering of Western leaders occurred in the wake of a Russian drone attack striking a residential building in Odesa, claiming at least one life and leaving three women critically injured. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper provided updates on the casualties via social media, while rescue services diligently searched for survivors amidst the rubble. Italy, currently holding the presidency of the Group of Seven leading economies, announced plans for a virtual G7 summit with Zelenskyy, culminating in a joint statement on Ukraine.
Expressing unwavering support for Ukraine, von der Leyen underscored solidarity across financial, economic, military, and moral domains in a social media post. Meanwhile, on the eastern Donetsk front line, Ukrainian soldiers sounded the alarm for urgent ammunition replenishment to counter relentless enemy offensives. Senior officers, identified only by their first names for security reasons, emphasized the critical shortage of shells, vital for safeguarding infantry and fending off enemy incursions.
As Ukraine navigates through the grim realities of conflict, the show of solidarity from Western leaders and the impassioned pleas for support underscore the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and peace.
