The first anniversary of Russia’s invasion has inspired solidarity from around the world and a mix of concern and determination in Ukraine, and Ukraine is certain to defeat Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech on Friday.
“We will win,” Zelensky said at a press conference. He said Ukraine could win the war this year as long as its allies remain “as united as a fist” and continue to distribute weapons.
President Zelensky tweeted: “On February 24, we chose by the millions. Not a white flag, but a blue and yellow flag. Not by running away, but by facing it. Resistance and fighting. It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know 2023 will be our year of victory!”
President Zelensky said Friday that his country needs to strengthen cooperation with countries in Africa and Latin America amid Russia’s growing global influence.
“Ukraine really needs to take steps to meet and cooperate with countries on the African continent,” Zelensky told reporters in Kiev on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of his country.
“For many years, we could not work properly to expand relations with those regions, we did not pay attention, I think this is a big mistake,” he added.
At a press conference to mark one year since Russia launched a full-scale offensive, Zelensky called on Beijing and New Delhi to join a “Ukrainian peace formula” to end the war.
Kiev’s plan calls for the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, the release of all prisoners of war, security guarantees for Ukraine and a tribunal to bring Russian war criminals to justice.
Both China and India have maintained a neutral stance towards the war and have close ties with Russia. China and India were among the 39 UN member states that did not support the resolution calling for a “just and lasting” peace.
Countries that abstained or voted against were all in Africa, Latin America or Central Asia – where Russia’s influence has been growing in recent years.
China’s peace proposal has ‘something’
China presented a 12-point peace plan earlier on Friday to resolve the war through political means. Ukraine’s allies, including NATO and the EU, expressed hesitancy and called out Beijing for its “no limits partnership” with Moscow.
“China has shown its thoughts. I believe that the fact that China started talking about Ukraine is not bad,” Zelenskyy said.
“But the question is what follows the words. The question is in the steps and where they will lead to,” he added.
The Ukrainian leader said there were points in China’s paper that he agreed with “and there are those that we don’t.”
“But it’s something,” he added.
The Ukrainian president also said that “point number one” for him is that China does not send weapons to Russia.
“I very much want to believe that China will not deliver weapons to Russia, and for me this is very important.”
But he added that he was hopeful about the possibility for meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, without giving any details of how that might happen.
“I plan to meet Xi Jinping and believe this will be beneficial for our countries and for security in the world,” Zelenskyy said.
(Source: Agencies: AFP, AP, DPA, Reuters)
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