Western Support and Ukraine’s Resolve on the Second Anniversary of the Invasion
Beside the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of three Western nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy remains steadfast in his conviction that victory over Russia is within reach. The conflict has entered its most precarious phase for the slavic nation, and Zelenskiy’s leadership is under renewed scrutiny from within. From Gostomel Airport on the outskirts of Kyiv, a site that witnessed some of the fiercest fighting at the war’s start, he declared that the war will end in a just peace on terms determined by Ukraine. “We have fought for 730 days and we will win,” he stated with resolve.
The newly appointed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, named after the recent dismissal of popular general Valerii Zaluzhnyi, echoed similar sentiments in a Telegram message: “Light always prevails over darkness.” The war’s gradual normalcy has shaped the current anniversary, with Ukraine’s leader accompanied by the prime ministers of only three countries—Italy, Belgium, and Canada. In a show of broad Western unity, the Italian prime minister and Zelenskiy planned a late teleconference with other G-7 leaders from Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral. “We believe Ukrainians are fighting also for our freedom and national interest,” Meloni told reporters. Italy and Canada have joined the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in signing bilateral defense accords with Kyiv, highlighting sustained Western protection for Ukraine.
The memory of Russia’s invasion remained vivid in Kyiv’s streets throughout the day. Yellow and blue flags filled the capital, and people gathered at Independence Square, passing through the network of tunnels beneath the central square. A group performing traditional melodies accompanied by banduras—an emblem of Ukrainian culture—played songs like “Oi, u luzi chervona kalyna” and the national anthem, transforming music into a symbol of resistance. Above ground, residents from Kyiv and other cities visited a makeshift memorial adorned with Ukrainian flags to honor those who fell in the fight. Marina Kabalenko, a 42-year-old mother who spent weeks under occupation near Vishgorod, stood with a bouquet, explaining that she came to thank those who defended her life and the future of her children.
Mito Under Scrutiny
The figure of Zelenskiy, once seen as a symbol of resilience for remaining in Kyiv despite the proximity of Russian forces and offers from abroad, now faces questions from political rivals who accuse him of edging toward autocracy. Borja Lasheras, a senior researcher at the European Policy Analysis Center and adviser on Ukraine for the European External Action Service, notes that the president is weathering the fatigue common in a prolonged conflict. He acknowledges that some inner-circle decisions have prompted debate, including questions about chemistry with Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, but stresses that this is part of a plural society where freedom of expression is present. Lasheras adds that such debate reflects a healthy democracy rather than a crisis of leadership.
Today Lasheras also highlights that Zelenskiy remains broadly popular, while Zaluzhnyi, though widely respected, has not signaled any political ambitions. Analysts say the war has cooled domestic political contestation in Ukraine, and poll data generally shows that many Ukrainians accept a pause on elections while martial law remains in effect and the conflict continues. This broader public stance aligns with constitutional norms in Ukraine, which do not foresee elections while the state of war endures.