Entering the third year, many are discussing the future of this war: when will it end, or will it expand and stay longer?
Some European countries and the US gave their support to Ukraine and praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people for the Russian invasion. Some European heads of state even said they would keep giving aid to Ukraine during the war.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy swore that Ukraine would defeat Russia in this war. He gave that affirmation during the 2nd anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war at an open space in Kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday (24/02/2024).
According to Zelenskyy, any sane person would want the war to stop soon. But, it must be according to what Ukrainians wanted: just peace.
The leader of Ukraine spoke while accompanying some heads of nations that supported him like the prime ministers of Canada, Italy, and Belgium as well as the European Union President Ursula von der Leyen who visited Kyiv for the war anniversary.
Zelensky welcomed the leaders and handed over medals to soldiers in a ceremony at Gostomel Airport, Kyiv, which was the target of Russia during the first days of their invasion.
Meanwhile, many predicted that President Vladimir Putin still wants all of Ukraine. Putin until now said that the civilians in Ukraine, mainly in eastern Donbas, needed Russia's protection.
Prior to the war, Putin wrote a long essay denying Ukraine as a sovereign country. According to Putin, the people of Russia and Ukraine are one.
In December 2023, Putin said the goal of Russia's special military operation did not change. He wanted demilitarization and a neutral Ukraine while keeping fighting the expanding influence of NATO in East Europe.
In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo is one of the world's heads of state who visited Ukraine to state the concern of Indonesia to the people of Ukraine. On June 29, 2022, in front of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Joko Widodo affirmed the position of Indonesia about the importance of respecting regional sovereignty and integrity. Although it is difficult to achieve, President Jokowi kept stating the importance of a peaceful solution and said that the spirit of peace must never flicker.
The visit was then continued with a visit to Russia. In a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, President Joko Widodo made peace and humanitarian issues a priority.
Although there is yet any sign that the Russia-Ukraine war will end, the commemoration of the war's second anniversary should give a reflection on how the victims keep falling on both sides. War will only leave wounds and destruction. So, war must be stopped immediately.