[ad_1]
kyiv — kyiv’s first counteroffensive against Russian influence took place a decade ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Nov. 21 as Ukraine brand the 10th anniversary of the Day of Dignity and Freedom – the start of the Euromaidan protest movement that culminated in the ouster of Moscow-backed President Viktor Yanukovych.
Live briefing: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
RFE/RL Live briefing gives you all the latest developments on Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kiev’s counter-offensive, Western military aid, global reaction and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL’s coverage of the war in Ukraine, Click here.
“Ten years ago, we opened a new page in our struggle. Ten years ago, Ukrainians carried out their first counter-offensive – against anarchy, against attempts to deprive us of a European future , against our slavery,” Zelenskiy said in a video speech. to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of what is known in Ukraine as the Revolution of Dignity.
Foreign dignitaries including European Council President Charles Michel, Moldovan President Maia Sandu and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius traveled to Kiev to meet with Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials on this occasion – and also to discuss its allies’ continued support for Kiev in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“It’s good to be back in kyiv – among friends”, Michel said on
Along with Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska, “I honored all those who defended freedom and those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Sandu said wrote on X.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Kiev’s Independence Square – Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Ukrainian – on November 21, 2013, to express their outrage at the decision by Russia-backed Yanukovych to abandon plans to sign an association agreement with the EU and its decision to build stronger relations. with Russia.
The protest, known as Euromaidan, spread despite several attempts by security forces to disperse it, and culminated in Yanukovych’s flight to Russia in February 2014.
One hundred and seven people were killed by security forces – most in February 2014 – and another 2,500 were injured. The killed protesters are now known in Ukraine as the Heavenly Hundred.
WATCH: Ukraine marks the 10th anniversary of the Euromaidan protest movement that erupted after then-President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the EU. Massive crowds of pro-European protesters have occupied kyiv’s central square for months to oppose Yanukovych’s plan to strengthen economic ties with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Yanukovych’s fall by ordering the occupation of Crimea and fomenting anti-Kiev sentiment in eastern and southern Ukraine, and a war between government forces and fighters supported by Russia broke out in large parts of Donbass in April 2014.
“I am here again, firstly to pledge further support,” Pistorius said as he began his second visit to Kiev, adding that he also wanted to “express our solidarity, our deep solidarity and our admiration for the courageous fight , courageous and costly which is underway”. takes place here. »
A low-intensity war continued in eastern Ukraine for eight years despite ceasefires and inconclusive Western attempts at mediation, until February last year, when the Kremlin has unleashed an all-out, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine that is about to enter its 22nd month.
Ukraine launched a counter-offensive earlier this year to liberate Russian-occupied territories, but progress has been inconclusive so far.
On November 21, the Kremlin called the 2014 Ukrainian revolution that resulted in Yanukovych’s ouster a Western-sponsored coup.
In his speech, Zelenskiy praised Ukraine’s progress toward joining the European Union.
“Year by year, step by step, we do our best to make our star shine in the circle of stars of the EU flag, which symbolizes the unity of the peoples of Europe. The Star of Ukraine “, did he declare.
With reporting from AP, AFP, Reuters and dpa
[ad_2]
Source link