As the war in Ukraine passes its first anniversary, support and tributes from leaders around the world have continued to blossom. According to data provided by the US military, at least 100,000 soldiers of both Russian and Ukrainian nationality have died as a result of the invasion. Thousands of civilians are also said to have either died, with beyond 13 million Ukrainian civilians being made refugees, or displaced from their homes, according to the BBC.
As the first anniversary of the invasion comes, respect from leaders around the world has taken place. The extent to which these tributes have been given is reflected by King Charles, who has released a statement saying that Ukrainians have “suffered unimaginably” since the invasion began.
In light of the thousands who have been injured or killed as a result of the conflict, the King praised the Ukrainian nation as having “remarkable courage and resilience” due to the invasion. The message from the King stated that “the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation. They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy”.
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have had the great pleasure of meeting.”
Having met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Buckingham Palace earlier this month, the King further stated that “I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
At a vigil gathering in Trafalgar Square on the evening of the 23rd of February, crowds listened to recitals of the Ukrainian poem Take Only What Is Most Important by actress Dame Helen Mirren, who was also personally and emotionally moved. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also paid his tributes, calling Ukrainian soldiers the “bravest of the brave”.
Additionally, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has spoken about calling for peace. Archbishop Welby said, whilst speaking to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, “There must be a future with a just and stable peace - a free and secure Ukraine - and the beginning of a generation’s long process of healing and reconciliation.”
Tributes have been demonstrated by the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Dame Melinda Simmons, who recalled the outbreak of the invasion last February as “such a traumatic time”.
Speaking to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she informed the presenters about how her job role changed since the invasion began, as “a life because war isn’t just a five-day thing”. Moreover, bans on exports which are believed to be potentially used by the Russian military have been announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has imminently announced sanctions on products such as radio equipment, electronic components and aircraft parts.
However, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg believes the organisation and its allies could do more to deter Russian aggression.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Stoltenberg stated how sanctions against Russia by the West “do not seem to have dented the Kremlin’s ability or desire to wage war”. The anniversary has come in light of President Zelensky asking its allies for more ammunition and fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s defence. In response, although the UK has yet to supply fighter jets to Ukraine, the UK will start training Ukrainian fighter pilots to use NATO-standard aircraft. Regarding the UK’s position on providing fighter jets to Ukraine, Mr Wallace has declared that he is “very happy” to supply such reinforcements to allies in Eastern Europe, so said allies could give their Soviet-era jets to Ukraine. This method is seen to be faster as the Ukrainian military would already be familiar with Soviet-era jets since they already have been using them.
Ultimately, whilst addressing the G7 group of advanced economies, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared that increasing support for Ukraine is “what it will take to shift Putin’s mindset”.
Mr Sunak had addressed the proposition of providing Ukraine with “longer-range weapons” to restrict Russia’s capability to damage Ukraine’s infrastructure, notably electricity, energy and food supplies. Mr Sunak said that “instead of an incremental approach, we need to move faster on artillery, armour, and air defence”, claiming that supplying Ukraine with long-term political, security and military promises will “send a strong message” to Russia.