King Charles praises ‘dedication and power’ of Ukrainian folks ‘within the face of indescribably aggression’ on second anniversary of Putin’s invasion

The King has praised the ‘dedication and power’ of the Ukrainian folks in a message marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

The monarch mentioned: ‘Theirs is true valour, within the face of indescribable aggression’.

Charles III added he’s ‘drastically inspired’ by the efforts of the UK and its allies in supporting Ukraine ‘presently of such nice struggling and wish’.

He mentioned: ‘The dedication and power of the Ukrainian folks continues to encourage, because the unprovoked assault on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a 3rd, tragic, yr.

‘Regardless of the super hardship and ache inflicted upon them, Ukrainians proceed to indicate the heroism with which the world associates them so intently.

‘Theirs is true valour, within the face of indescribable aggression. I’ve felt this personally within the many conferences I’ve had with Ukrainians for the reason that begin of the conflict, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new military recruits coaching right here in the UK.

‘I proceed to be drastically inspired that the UK and our allies stay on the forefront of worldwide efforts to help Ukraine presently of such nice struggling and wish.

‘My coronary heart goes out to all these affected, as I bear in mind them in my ideas and prayers.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined different world leaders in reaffirming help for Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, vowing to again Kyiv ’till they prevail’.

The Prime Minister mentioned ‘tyranny won’t ever triumph’ as President Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops defend the nation towards an emboldened Moscow.

The UK has pledged to speculate £245 million in producing artillery shells for Ukraine and £8.5 million in humanitarian funding because the battle enters its third yr.

Saturday marks two years for the reason that Kremlin launched its assault on Ukraine, beginning the most important incursion in a European nation for the reason that Second World Battle.

Mr Sunak, who visited Kyiv final month to signal a brand new safety settlement and announce a rise in army funding for the nation, mentioned on Friday: ‘When (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his unlawful invasion two years in the past, the free world was united in its response.

‘We stood collectively behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we should renew our dedication.

‘I used to be in Kyiv only a few weeks in the past and I met wounded Ukrainian troopers. Every harrowing story was a reminder of Ukraine’s braveness within the face of horrible struggling.

‘It was a reminder of the worth they’re paying not solely to defend their nation towards a very unjustified invasion, but in addition to defend the very rules of freedom, sovereignty and the rule of regulation on which all of us rely.’

He added: ‘That is the second to indicate that tyranny won’t ever triumph and to say as soon as once more that we are going to stand with Ukraine right this moment and tomorrow.

‘We’re ready to do no matter it takes, for so long as it takes, till they prevail.’

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer, who hopes to enter Quantity 10 after the final election this yr, mentioned Britain would all the time help Ukraine ‘regardless of who’s in energy on this nation’ and added that Mr Putin’s ‘cowardice and barbarity’ won’t prevail.

Sir Keir mentioned: ‘The resistance of the Ukrainian folks has impressed and humbled the world. The UK and our allies will stand in solidarity with them till their day of victory.

‘We won’t waver. We won’t abandon them. We won’t be divided within the face of tyranny or oppression.

‘We glance collectively to the day when Ukraine secures justice and liberty of their rightful homeland, when Ukrainians can return dwelling and rebuild their nice nation, and reside peacefully, freely and proudly.’

European nations are struggling to search out sufficient weapons and ammunition to ship to Kyiv, and US assist price 60 billion {dollars} (£47 billon) is stalled over political variations in Washington.

Ukrainian forces withdrew from the strategic japanese metropolis of Avdiivka on the weekend, the place that they had battled a fierce Russian assault for 4 months regardless of being closely outnumbered and outgunned.

Kyiv has stored up strikes behind the entrance line however moved to a defensive posture amid crucial shortages on the battlefield.

Talking to BBC Breakfast, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was requested whether or not the funding package deal introduced on Saturday was sufficient.

‘That £245 million is only a fraction of the £2.5 billion we’re giving in direct assist and army help this yr… however ammunition is the factor that Ukraine desperately wants for the time being,’ he mentioned.

Mr Shapps echoed considerations raised by International Secretary Lord Cameron over the progress of the US funding package deal via Congress, the place it faces an uphill battle as hardline Republicans within the Home of Representatives oppose the laws.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Kyiv right this moment, the place he joined various allies who’ve come to indicate solidarity with Ukraine because the conflict enters its third yr.

Writing on X, previously Twitter, this morning Johnson mentioned: ‘On this grim second anniversary of Putin’s invasion I’m honoured to be right here in Ukraine.

‘With their indomitable braveness I’ve little doubt that the Ukrainians will win and expel Putin’s forces – offered we give them the army, political and financial assist that they want.’

He shared a photograph of him standing with Zelenskyy in Borodianka, Kyiv area in January final yr on one among quite a few visits to the war-torn state.

It got here as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Kyiv to preside over a digital assembly on Ukraine with G7 to debate new sanctions towards Russia.

Johnson’s premiership noticed report help for Ukraine, Britain shortly turning into the second-largest donor after the US.

The previous prime minister has maintained sturdy relations with Ukrainian chief Zelenskyy since leaving workplace.

Ninety minutes after resigning in July 2022, Johnson known as Zelenskyy to say his folks had the UK’s unwavering help in its combat towards Russia, and mentioned Britain would proceed to provide important assist for so long as wanted.

Johnson, who held the highest position when Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, travelled to Ukraine a yr after stepping right down to obtain an honorary diploma from the College of Lviv.

His arrival right this moment coincides with a digital summit of G7 leaders as a consequence of happen at Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral later Saturday with Zelenskyy attending.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo arrived in Kyiv right this moment to participate within the G7 summit.

They travelled with the president of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, on an in a single day prepare from neighbouring Poland.

Their presence was designed to underline the West’s dedication to serving to Ukraine even because it suffers rising shortages of army provides, impacting its efficiency on the battlefield the place Moscow is grinding out territorial beneficial properties.

Von der Leyen wrote on the social media platform X that she was in Kyiv ‘to have a good time the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian folks’. She added: ‘Greater than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Till the nation is lastly free.’ 

British prime minister Rishi Sunak additionally voiced help for Ukraine’s plight in an deal with to mark the second anniversary.

The Prime Minister declared that ‘tyranny won’t ever triumph’ as he mentioned Britain will do ‘no matter it takes, for so long as it takes’ to assist them win.

Mr Sunak mentioned: ‘When Putin launched his unlawful invasion… the free world was united in its response.

‘We stood collectively behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we should renew our dedication.

‘That is the second to indicate that tyranny won’t ever triumph and to say as soon as once more that we are going to stand with Ukraine right this moment and tomorrow. We’re ready to do no matter it takes, for so long as it takes, till they prevail.’

The prime minister visited Kyiv final month to signal a brand new safety settlement and announce extra army funding for Ukraine.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden additionally introduced 500 new sanctions concentrating on Russia’s ‘monetary sector, defence industrial base and procurement networks’ in mild of the shock demise of Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny in a grisly Arctic penal colony on February 16.

The brand new restrictions have been described as ‘crushing’ by a high-level State Division official on Thursday, who additionally claimed they might goal officers ‘instantly concerned in Navalny’s demise’. Moscow nonetheless denies involvement within the shock demise final Friday.

The US will even impose new export restrictions on practically 100 entities for offering help to Russia and take motion to additional scale back Russia’s vitality revenues, Biden mentioned in an announcement.

‘They may guarantee Putin pays a fair steeper value for his aggression overseas and repression at dwelling,’ the president mentioned of the sanctions.