Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskyj praises his country on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022.
"Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of total heroism from Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!", he writes on X.
Tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides – and Ukrainian civilians – have been killed during the war. Cities and villages have been laid in ruins and millions of people have been forced to flee.
Praises the fallen
Zelenskyj thanks all who have defended and supported the country – and those who have paid with their lives in the fight against the Russian aggressors.
"May the memory of all those who have sacrificed their lives for our state and our people live forever", he writes.
Zelenskyj confirmed over the weekend that 13 heads of state and government will arrive in Kyiv on Monday, and an additional 24 leaders will participate digitally.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is one of those who arrived on Monday morning. On X, he writes:
"Today, I am on site in Kyiv. For three years, the Ukrainian people have fought for their freedom and security – but also for ours".
He also mentions the Swedish support of 1.2 billion kronor to Ukraine's air defense, which was presented on Sunday.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also in Kyiv. In a comment on social media, she writes:
"We are in Kyiv today because Ukraine is part of Europe. In this struggle for survival, it is not just Ukraine's fate that is at stake. It is Europe's fate."
Offered to resign
Other confirmed leaders in Kyiv are Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Denmark's Mette Frederiksen, and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
On Sunday, Zelenskyj said he was ready to resign in exchange for peace in Ukraine – following repeated attacks from US President Donald Trump about the fact that Ukraine has not held elections during the war.
According to Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while martial law is in effect.
