Optimism about a swiftly won victory remained scarce in the early days of a war whose end few could predict. Yet Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, underscored a commitment to mobilize every possible effort toward a notional target of victory within the year. In his remarks marking the war’s first anniversary, he highlighted the contribution of ordinary citizens over distant authorities, stressing that every person matters at Ukraine’s eastern border where life is weighed against the state’s aspirations for expansion.
“We will do everything we can to win this year,” Zelensky stated in a morning address. He wore black to mourn the losses as he began the anniversary message around seven in the morning, recalling the invasion that began 365 days earlier. The address carried a sober but resolute tone. He reminded listeners that Russia launched an all-out war and asserted, with defiance, that Ukraine possesses the strength and readiness to prevail because the country is united. He described the day as the longest and hardest in Ukrainian history and asserted that those responsible for aggression would face justice, noting the high personal costs borne by the people.
The president paid tribute to cities impacted by the conflict, naming Irpin, Bucha, Mariupol, and Kherson. He described these places as heroic and emblematic of resilience, captains of a national spirit that refuses to yield. He emphasized that Ukraine’s resolve inspires and unites the world, insisting that the story of these communities has a power to move audiences far beyond their borders.
individual’s value
According to Yevhen Fedchenko, a Ukrainian analyst and journalist who leads a project to counter disinformation, the speech centers on two key ideas: the essential role of ordinary people in the struggle and a critique of narratives that elevate the state above the individual, as is portrayed in some other states. He notes that the emphasis on the citizen contrasts sharply with the approach seen elsewhere, where authorities may appear to use people as instruments for broader strategic aims. The military dynamic, he explains, involves waves of troops sent to the front in ways that test the endurance of Ukrainian defenders, who respond with steadfast resistance.
Another noteworthy thread is the international support that emerged from Ukraine’s resistance. Fedchenko points out that the war has shifted global perception, turning a once uncertain outcome into a broad coalition that views Russia as increasingly isolated. The narrative of resilience has helped to frame a broader diplomatic realignment, underscoring that the Ukrainian struggle has altered how the world weighs the conflict and the prospects for regional security.
On the anniversary, many Ukrainians lived with a mix of anxiety and vigilance as towns faced the threat of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. In the past months, some observers noted that the fighting required both sides to replenish weapons stocks, with Western nations and Russia balancing their arsenals. The international community, including the United States and its allies, has kept a careful watch on potential shifts in arms supply and strategic commitments. The broader security environment remains fragile and contingent on ongoing diplomatic and military developments.
President Zelensky also spoke about efforts to deter arms deliveries to Moscow from abroad. During a briefing with foreign journalists, he expressed an interest in meeting with observers from the international community and indicated openness to discussing channels that could influence the trajectory of the conflict. He referenced a broader peace initiative recently outlined by Beijing and reaffirmed that respects for territorial integrity are essential while stressing the imperative of joint efforts to end hostilities and withdraw Russian forces from Ukrainian soil. The discussion touched on how external mediation might intersect with regional stability and the quest for a durable resolution to the crisis.