(Reuters) – Ukrainians and leaders of many democracies on Friday marked the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Following are extracts of what they, and some Russians, said:
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY
“We have become one family. There are no more strangers among us … Ukrainians have sheltered Ukrainians, opened their homes and hearts to those who were forced to flee the war …
“We withstand all threats, shelling, cluster bombs, cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, blackouts and cold. We are stronger than that.”
Recalling the moment when Russia attacked in the early hours, he said:
“We woke up early and haven’t slept since.”
FORMER RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV
“Victory will be achieved. We all want it to happen as soon as possible. And that day will come.”
U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, IN A TWEET
“I’ll repeat today what I said one year ago as Russia invaded Ukraine. A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase the people’s love of liberty. Brutality will never grind down the will of the free. And Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never.”
KYIV SHOP WORKER VALENTYNA KRYSAN, 75
“I buried my son who died in military service. I also buried my husband. I think it’s very clear to you, I’m on my own now and it’s very, very hard.
“I wish you a nice, peaceful day, and that such a thing will never be repeated in your lives.”
MOSCOW RESIDENT YEVGENY (NO LAST NAME GIVEN)
“The whole world is against us. NATO countries are fighting (us) through Ukraine, supplying (them with) equipment, the Nazis. We are looking forward to winning this year – hopefully. The sooner the better for this to end.”
MOSCOW RESIDENT YEKATERINA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN)
“You know, I can’t comment on this. I’m very sad, sad, so – everything will be fine.”
PARIS MAYOR ANNE HIDALGO
“There will be a life after this war, because Ukraine will win.”
BRITAIN’S KING CHARLES
“The people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation. They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy …
“I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
POLISH PRIME MINISTER MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI, IN KYIV
“Poland and Europe stand by your side. We will certainly not leave you, we will support Ukraine until complete victory over Russia.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
Scholz hailed Ukrainians’ determination and courage in defending their freedom, saying: “Germany supports them in this – as strongly and as long as necessary.”
GERMAN PRESIDENT FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER called Russia’s invasion “an attack on everything we stand for”.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
“Ukraine is not and will not be alone … The free world owes (a debt to) the women and men of Ukraine.”
GEORGIAN PRESIDENT SALOME ZOURABICHVILI
“Russia is already the loser – it has failed at its own militaristic aims. It has not managed to remove the Ukrainian government, nor to exhaust people’s patience, and has failed to weaken international support.”
CHINESE PEACE PLAN
“All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiralling out of control.”
UKRAINIAN PENSIONER, YURII OKOLOTENKO, 63
“The Russians – I’m sorry to say this, they’re nothing more than cattle – have always hated us, they’ve always hated Ukraine. I don’t know – history made them the way they are.”
MOSCOW RESIDENT, VERA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN)
“I really want peace, I really want it all to end as soon as possible. Too many victims – morally and materially. We pensioners feel it all.”
Learn more about the Ukraine war. Listen to a special episode of the Reuters World News Podcast
(Compiled by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Alison Williams)
