European leaders visit Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of Russia-Ukraine war

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Four Western leaders visited Ukraine on Saturday to show support and solidarity as its war with Russia marks its second anniversary.

Belgian, Canadian, and Italian prime ministers, as well as the head of the European Commission, arrived in the city of Hostomel, 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) off Kyiv together with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take part in special events, organized by Kyiv on the occasion.

In a video published on Telegram, Zelenskyy thanked Alexander de Croo, Justin Trudeau, Giorgia Meloni, and Ursula von der Leyen, respectively, for their assistance.

"Dear great people of a great country, I am immensely proud of each of you. I admire each one of you. I believe in each one of you. Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow Ukraine to end. That is why when it comes to ending the war, we always add: on our terms," Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that any peace agreements must be just, and because of that "in the future, the word independent will always appear alongside the word Ukraine."

"This is what we fight for. And we will prevail. On the greatest day of our lives. I thank all of our soldiers, our people, and everyone around the world who stands with us and the truth," he said.

Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine exactly two years ago, on Feb. 24, 2022.

The Russian officials said they are ready to start peace talks with Ukraine, however, Kyiv's self-ban on contacts with Moscow has prevented their beginning.