New York (d.de) – Exactly two years ago Russia began its wholesale invasion of Ukraine at the order of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. Speaking outside the United Nations in New York on Friday, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed the importance of aid to Ukraine, “not only because we have been able to rescue hundreds of thousands of people from occupied territory, but also because it has been possible to liberate 50% of what Putin seized at the beginning of the war.” Baerbock referred to the recently concluded German-Ukrainian security partnership which pledges lasting support for Ukraine from Germany. Baerbock rejected calls for negotiations with Russia’s President Putin. “Russia, a permanent member of this council wants a sovereign state to give up its right to exist,” she said, adding that, “If we give in to that, that would be the end of the Charter.”
Numerous politicians from various countries have arrived in Ukraine in a show of solidarity, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On arriving in the capital Kyiv she wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free.”
In addition to political visits, commemorative events and declarations of solidarity are taking place around the world. Such declarations are planned in German cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.
