Russia's triple failure: World leaders gather in Kyiv to mark fourth anniversary of full-scale war
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: president.gov.ua)
Events marking the 4th anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion are ongoing in Kyiv. Representatives of the EU, NATO, and parliamentary delegations from various countries are visiting the capital, and President Zelenskyy showed the bunker on Bankova Street for the first time.
RBC-Ukraine reports how Kyiv is marking the fourth anniversary of the war and what Ukrainian and world leaders are saying.
Read also: Another brutal chapter or peace? Ukraine faces crossroads as Russia's full-scale war hits year four
Key points:
- International guests in Kyiv: leaders of the European Union, representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and parliamentary delegations from European countries and P4U/U4U have arrived.
- Program of events: official commemorations of war anniversary, visit to damaged energy facility, meeting of Coalition of Willing, and Ukraine–Nordic–Baltic summit.
- President Zelenskyy: thanked Ukrainians for their resistance and showed the bunker on Bankova Street for the first time, where early war coordination took place.
- Global support for Ukraine: new military and humanitarian aid packages and statements of solidarity.
Foreign guests in Kyiv
The President of the European Council, António Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as leaders have already arrived in the capital.
- Croatia,
- Estonia,
- Latvia,
- Iceland,
- Finland,
- Denmark,
- Sweden,
- Norway
Many other countries and organizations are represented at another level.
In particular, numerous international delegations are present in the capital.
Among the guests are parliamentary delegations from Lithuania, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Moldova, as well as representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the U4U network.
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
Foreign leaders visit Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (photo: t.me/Ukraine_MFA)
The capital is also being visited by Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, officials from North Macedonia, European Commissioners for enlargement, defense, and energy, and NATO representatives led by Lieutenant General Curtis A. Buzzard.
Coalition of the Willing and more: Event program
EU leaders von der Leyen and Costa will join official memorial events marking the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
They will also inspect the energy infrastructure facility damaged by Russian missile attacks and hold talks with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A Coalition of the Willing meeting and a Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic countries summit are scheduled for today.
The Coalition of the Willing meeting will take place via videoconference. It will be chaired online by French President Emmanuel Macron, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer serving as co-chair.
At the same time, London announced a new package of military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The British government said that within multinational forces supporting Ukraine, a headquarters of about 70 personnel is already operating.
Bunker on Bankova Street: What Zelenskyy said in address
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war, thanked Ukrainians for resilience and resistance, emphasizing that people themselves became a force that helped the country endure and preserve statehood.
In the video, he also showed the bunker on Bankova, from where, at the beginning of the invasion, he held talks with world leaders and coordinated the work of the authorities and the military. According to the president, key decisions necessary for Ukraine to withstand the first days of war were made right there.
Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv. And that says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time. Behind those words stand millions of our people, immense courage, incredibly hard work, endurance, and… pic.twitter.com/9qiqACurhx
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2026
Zelenskyy briefly explained that before each round of negotiations, he gives his team clear directives: security guarantees must be real, and no years of Ukraine's struggle and achievements can be reset or devalued. Each clause of the agreement is carefully discussed so that it is strong and accepted by Ukrainians.
What they say about the anniversary of the invasion in Ukraine and the world
Ukraine
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi:
Great Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko wrote: "Fate does not smile on slaves, fate smiles on people." The Ukrainian army is people. Free. Conscious. Those who fight for their home and their land. Against us are slaves and mercenaries driven into battle by fear and lies. Therefore truth is on our side.
Head of Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov:
What we must not have is illusions about our enemy, illusions that it will be easy. We must live in reality where every day we so need that same feeling of a shoulder to lean on. This is probably the most important lesson of the Russian-Ukrainian war: our strength is in unity. Only together can we be a strong state in the struggle for independence.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov:
Our war plan is three specific goals: close sky, stop the enemy on land, at sea, and in cyberspace; deprive Russia of economic resources to wage war.
World
President of Poland Karol Nawrocki:
Russian aggression against Ukraine poses a serious threat to the security of the entire European continent. History teaches us that ignoring imperial ambitions of Russia has always led to tragedy. The democratic world must remain united in the face of such challenges. We expect cessation of actions that destabilize the region. We respect the courage of those who defend freedom every day.
President of France Emmanuel Macron:
This war is a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic. Deliveries of equipment and ammunition, training, strengthened air defences and counter-drone capabilities, and support for the systems already supplied will continue. So that Ukraine can hold—and so that Russia understands that time is not on its side.
President of Moldova Maia Sandu:
Thank you for keeping Russia away from our country and for protecting Europe. Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace. We stand with you today and every day.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark:
Right now, Ukrainians are going through an extremely cold winter, and Putin cynically uses the cold to his tactical advantage. Therefore, Denmark is providing new humanitarian aid worth 190 million kroner to help address the acute humanitarian situation and ensure long-term support.
Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre:
The Ukrainians themselves know best what they need. In close consultation with the Ukrainian authorities, the government has now decided how Norway's military support to Ukraine for 2026 is to be targeted. The funding will be used in areas where it will achieve maximum effect for Ukraine.
