President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (24 February) urged Ukraine’s allies to maintain their backing as the war with Russia entered its fourth year, with divisions among European partners overshadowing anniversary commemorations.

In a televised address to the European Parliament, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy called on the 27-member European Union to continue defending what he described as the European way of life.

“Russians must learn that Europe is a union of independent nations and millions of people who do not tolerate humiliation and will not accept violence,” he said.

Zelenskyy reiterated that EU membership would provide a guarantee of Ukraine’s future security once a peace agreement is signed, adding that Kyiv would be ready to join by 2027. The bloc is considering ways to grant Ukraine some of the benefits of membership before it completes the extensive economic, democratic and judicial reforms required for full accession.

However, hopes among EU nations of announcing fresh measures against Moscow were dampened by internal disagreement. The bloc had aimed to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia, as well as a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, but Hungary - which maintains close ties with Moscow - on Monday upheld its veto on both proposals.

Hungary and neighbouring Slovakia have accused Kyiv of deliberately blocking their supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine says it has been attempting repairs following a Russian strike last month.

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Zelenskyy urges tighter sanctions on Russia 

In Kyiv, dignitaries including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attended prayers with Zelenskyy at Saint Sophia Cathedral. In contrast to previous years, however, no heads of major Western governments were present at the anniversary events.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on allies to intensify sanctions on Russia’s economy and to supply Ukraine with more weapons, particularly air defence missiles.

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The UK announced sanctions against oil pipeline giant Transneft as part of what it described as its largest package of measures since the early months of the war, targeting nearly 300 Russian entities and individuals.

In a separate televised statement, Zelenskyy criticised countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, saying they were helping to finance the conflict. “Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken the Ukrainian people. He has not won this war,” he said.

He also issued an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine. “Only by visiting Ukraine and seeing our lives and struggles with your own eyes, by understanding our people and the enormity of their pain, can you see what this war is really about,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides have been killed or wounded in Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the Second World War.

Peace talks, brokered by the United States, appear to have stalled over the question of territory.

In Moscow, where no official anniversary ceremonies were held, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western involvement had turned the conflict into a far broader confrontation with nations seeking to weaken Russia.

He said Moscow remained open to achieving its objectives through diplomacy but could not say when further talks might take place.

France and Poland send messages of support to Kyiv

Russia, which continues to make slow advances on the battlefield, insists Ukraine must cede the remaining 20% of the eastern Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control. Ukraine has repeatedly stated it will not relinquish territory for which thousands have died.

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Several foreign leaders reiterated their support for Kyiv. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that Russia was paying a high price for limited territorial gains, adding: “One day, Russians will grasp the enormity of the crime committed in their name.”

Polish President Karol Nawrocki also wrote on X that Russia’s aggression posed a serious threat to European security and thanked Ukrainians for their courage.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s power grid - repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes - has endured its harshest winter of the war. Millions have been left without electricity for hours or days at a time, and the economy has entered its most difficult period since the invasion began.

The mood in central Kyiv was subdued. A few dozen people gathered in the main square, where soldiers carrying flags observed a moment of silence for the fallen.

"I don't think it will end quickly, because Russia hates us and will do everything possible to destroy us," said Svitlana Yur, a 48-year-old local resident.

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Ukraine Russia Europe Volodymyr Zelenskyy russian oil Politics Western support Refugees