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PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed Ukrainians for their “bravery and sacrifice” to mark three years since Vladimir Putin invaded.
The valiant leader has shared a patriotic clip of couragous soldiers fighting the invading Russians and civilians pulling together to mark the sad occasion.
Set to stirring music, Zelensky shared footage of fearless Ukrainian troops fighting over the course of the three years and thanked them.
The clip also shows civilians protesting against Russia, doctors in surgery, and firefighters in bombed-out buildings.
Zelensky says: “Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude.
“Three years of support. Three years of unity. Three years of assistance.
“Thank you for these three years of us standing together in defense of our state and our people.
“Thank you for every battle Ukraine has won.
“Thank you for every position that we – all Ukrainians – have secured.
“Thank you for our contribution to our shared future.
“Thank you to our warriors for their bravery – you are the best in the world.”
“Three years of full-scale war is a very long time, but the Ukrainian people have defended their right to independence and to a state of their own.”
The clip begins with shocking footage from the start of the conflict of Russian helicopters flying into Ukraine.
But it quickly shifts to Ukrainians tanks blasting the Russian column that tried to storm Kyiv.
Brave Zelensky also hails the strength of Ukrainian civilians who have pulled together to support the war effort and continue their lives as Russia tries to destroy their country.
The clip shows Ukrainian footballers and athletes competing at the Olympics and beating Russians under the neutral flag.
Mechanics, factory workers, and drone-makers are all shown in the clip for their important contribution to the war effort.
Tens of thousands of soldiers and Ukrainian civilians have been killed and cities across the country’s south and east have been flattened with millions forced to flee their homes.
In a post on X along with the footage, Zelensky says: “Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!
“I thank everyone who defends and supports it. Everyone who works for Ukraine.
“And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal.”
Meanwhile, the Kremlin on the eve of the anniversary repeated Russia’s position that it would not give up territory it has captured in Ukraine’s east and south.
Moscow has also said it would not accept Ukrainian admission to Nato – as the two sides start to bargain over an end to the war.
World leaders are marking the third anniversary in a call that will pledge support for Ukraine and continue to call out Russia.
Some have even gone to Kyiv, like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even Boris Johnson.
A bomb has also reportedly exploded inside the Russian consulate in Marseilles on the third anniversary.
An initial reporter claimed that two unknown people reportedly threw Molotov cocktails into the garden of the building.
Zelensky’s touching clip comes after he said he would step down as his country’s leader in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
The Ukrainian president said on Sunday: “If it’s about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that [in exchange for peace].
“Secondly I can exchange it for Nato [membership].
“If there is such an opportunity I’ll do it immediately without a long conversation about it.”
He emphasised that Ukraine’s security was his priority, not staying in office, adding that it was not his “dream” to remain president for a decade.
Zelensky made the pledge after Donald Trump branded him as a “dictator” and sidelined him by starting peace discussions with Russia.
Elections in Ukraine have been banned under martial law amid Putin’s ongoing illegal invasion.
Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanual Macron will also show “united leadership” in support of Ukraine when they meet Trump in the coming days.
Time to rearm
The Sun Says…
TODAY marks three years since the start of Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine — a war that has seen more than 1.3million killed or injured.
Brave Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer yesterday to step down as Ukrainian president — in answer to Donald Trump’s bogus charge that he is a dictator — shows his commitment to peace.
But he is not the problem.
Blood-soaked Putin has already sacrificed more than 860,000 of his own soldiers and is no more bothered by current losses of 1,500 a day than he is by the deaths of 12,000 Ukrainian civilians ruthlessly targeted by his forces.
He is supported in this slaughter by the terrorists of Tehran and North Korean madman Kim Jong-un.
Meanwhile, China watches on.
The world is a very dangerous place right now and Europe cannot keep relying on America to fight its battles.
Even pacifists like Stephen Fry recognise that increasing spending on defence is not about ideology. It’s about self-preservation.
Sir Keir Starmer hinted that Britain will raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 and offer 30,000 peace-keeping troops for Ukraine.
But that is meaningless when we don’t have 30,000 troops to spare, when 2.5 per cent is not enough and 2030 is too far away.
What are we waiting for?
