Ukraine on Tuesday commemorated the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion with solemn ceremonies, renewed diplomatic appeals, and a strong call from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for accelerated European Union membership by 2027.
The invasion, which began in the early hours of February 24, 2022, when Russian forces crossed into Ukrainian territory from multiple fronts, marked the largest military assault in Europe since World War II. Four years later, active combat continues across eastern and southern Ukraine, with no comprehensive ceasefire in sight.
In a nationally televised address delivered from Kyiv’s presidential administration complex on Bankova Street, Zelenskyy described the war as a defining moment in Ukraine’s history and a test of European unity.
“Four years ago, our lives changed forever. But we did not surrender, and we will not surrender,” he said. “Ukraine’s future is in Europe.”
Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s ambition to secure full membership in the European Union by 2027, building on candidate status granted in June 2022. He stressed that integration into European political, economic and legal frameworks remains central to Ukraine’s long-term security strategy.
The President also renewed his appeal for sustained military assistance from Western allies, particularly advanced air defense systems and long-range weaponry. Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipro have faced repeated missile and drone strikes since the invasion began, targeting energy infrastructure and civilian facilities.
“We need reliable air defense to protect our skies and our people,” Zelenskyy said, urging continued support from the United States and European partners.
Fighting remains intense in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Ukrainian forces are engaged in defensive operations near cities such as Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Southern areas around Zaporizhzhia and Kherson have also seen continued exchanges of artillery and drone strikes.
Ukrainian military officials reported ongoing clashes along multiple front lines as of February 23, 2026, although independent verification of battlefield developments remains difficult.
International leaders marked the anniversary with messages of solidarity. In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its EU accession path. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also reiterated support for Ukraine’s defense efforts, emphasizing that the alliance’s assistance remains crucial to regional stability.
Since 2022, Western governments have collectively provided tens of billions of dollars in military, humanitarian and financial aid to Kyiv. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has continued security assistance, though debates in Washington over funding levels and long-term commitments persist.
In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin has maintained that Russia’s military operation is aimed at protecting national security interests and countering NATO expansion assertions rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies as unjustified.
Across Ukraine on Tuesday, commemorations were held in cities and towns nationwide. In Kyiv’s Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor fallen soldiers and civilians. Church bells rang in Lviv, while memorial services took place in Odesa and Kharkiv.
At St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, families of soldiers killed in action laid flowers beneath photographs of the deceased. Similar ceremonies were observed at military cemeteries near Lviv and Dnipro.
The human toll of the war remains significant. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers have been killed since February 2022, and millions have been displaced internally or sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Poland, Romania and Germany.
Economically, the conflict has reshaped global energy and grain markets, disrupted supply chains, and triggered sweeping sanctions against Russia by the European Union, the United States and other Western partners.
Ukraine’s EU accession process requires continued reforms in areas including anti-corruption measures, judicial independence and governance standards. Zelenskyy acknowledged the scale of the task but insisted that wartime conditions would not derail institutional transformation.
“Our soldiers defend the state on the battlefield, and we defend the future of the state through reforms,” he said.
As the war enters its fifth year, diplomatic pathways toward a negotiated settlement remain limited. Both Kyiv and Moscow have maintained firm positions regarding territorial integrity and security guarantees.
For Ukraine, the fourth anniversary served not only as a moment of remembrance but also as a declaration of strategic intent: to deepen integration with Europe, sustain international alliances, and continue resisting Russian aggression while pursuing long-term stability.
With active combat continuing across contested regions, the trajectory of the conflict and Ukraine’s European ambitions — remains closely watched in capitals around the world.
