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Three years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched the largest war in Europe in the 21st century. The full-scale invasion was the next stage of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which began with the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In 2022, Moscow openly declared its genocidal intentions: the destruction of Ukraine's statehood and the erasure of Ukrainians' national identity. Ukraine has proven that it is able not only to repel a surprise attack but also to effectively resist the aggressor in a protracted war. Russia tried to internationalize the war by creating an axis of evil along the Moscow-Pyongyang-Tehran vector, but it failed to win on the battlefield. Just like three years ago, Ukraine will not accept the Kremlin's ultimatums. Today, Moscow's only hope is to negotiate an end to the war behind Ukraine's back. However, Kyiv's position remains unchanged: Ukraine will not accept any agreements concluded without its participation. Both Ukraine's leadership and Ukrainian society want peace, but they do not agree to a temporary "freeze of the conflict" or a peace that is not backed by real security guarantees. Ukraine has stopped the Russian army, which in 2022 was considered the "second largest in the world." The counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson regions in 2022 were a strategic breakthrough. The depletion of Russian forces in Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Kupiansk in 2023-2024 demonstrated the effectiveness of the Ukrainian defense. Ukrainian troops continue to strike at Russian rear targets, hitting enemy bases, warehouses, and headquarters. Ukrainian attacks have destroyed part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, rendering it incapable of combat. Regaining control over sea routes allowed Ukrainian grain exports to resume. Moscow can no longer dominate the Black Sea and this is a strategic success for Kyiv. Ukraine continues to strike at military targets in Crimea, destroying enemy warehouses, air defense and aircraft. Russian losses in the Black Sea mean that Crimea is becoming increasingly vulnerable. Ukrainian partisans are active in Melitopol, Berdiansk, Luhansk, and Crimea. Over the three years of the war, Russia has lost 870,000 soldiers. 10,180 Russian tanks and 21,160 armored combat vehicles, 23,630 pieces of artillery, 1,300 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,100 air defense systems, 28 warships and submarines, and 38,500 heavy transport vehicles were destroyed. The pace of mobilization in the Russian Federation shows that the army is being depleted. The Ukrainian army, on the other hand, is becoming one of the strongest in the world, integrating into NATO. Russia is not only waging a war against the Ukrainian army, it is also killing civilians. Moscow systematically deports Ukrainian children to Russia. The total number of illegally deported children may reach more than 150 thousand.

On February 24, 2025, Kyiv hosted the Support Ukraine International Summit, dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. The event was attended by delegations from nearly 40 countries and international organizations. The heads of government of Norway, Spain, Estonia, the presidents of Lithuania, Finland and Latvia, the prime ministers of Canada, Denmark and Sweden, as well as the heads of the European Council and the European Commission attended the event. In his speech, the President of Ukraine said that this year should be the beginning of the establishment of real and lasting peace. Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined five key steps that could contribute to this. The first step will be the participation of Ukraine and Europe in the negotiations. The second step is to restore trust, in particular through the release of prisoners of war. The third step is Ukraine's accession to NATO. The President noted that the Alliance is the most effective, cheapest and reliable way to guarantee peace and security in Europe. The fourth step is security guarantees from specific states. Ukraine has 28 security agreements with partners, and these are very clear commitments that make Ukraine stronger. The fifth element was the need to maintain unity.

At the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that in order to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine, it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia. He confirmed the readiness of the British military to join a peacekeeping mission and announced new sanctions against the so-called Russian "shadow fleet. Ukraine will receive the largest package of military aid in the amount of 5.6 billion dollars. Starmer emphasized that Ukraine's allies should continue economic pressure on the Kremlin to force Putin not only to negotiate, but also to make concessions. The head of the British government emphasized that his country is ready and willing to support peacekeeping efforts, in particular by deploying troops together with other European partners under appropriate conditions. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced the provision of 25 LAV III combat vehicles, additional ammunition, equipment, and the first part of the $3.52 billion aid received from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a military aid package worth 1 billion euros. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson said that his country would provide 100 million euros for Ukraine's air defense systems. The Danish government has announced that it will provide 270 million euros to Ukraine. Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre announced the allocation of 3.5 billion euros to help Ukraine this year. Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir says her government has decided to double its defense support for Ukraine this year. The European Union is also stepping up its support for Ukraine. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that in March the EU will allocate 3.5 billion euros of aid and strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. She emphasized that the war in Ukraine is not only its internal affair, but a key challenge for the whole of Europe and the world.

     Three years of full-scale war have proved that Ukraine is capable of defending its sovereignty and will not agree to become a hostage to any external forces.  Ukraine has already shattered the myth of the "invincible" Russian army. Ukrainians have proved their resilience, but without proper support, the war could become protracted, which would benefit only Russia. Fast, powerful and continuous assistance is the way to victory for Ukraine and the entire democratic world.