IRIA News

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Leaders from over 30 countries gathered in Kyiv and virtually across Europe to mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, pledging continued solidarity, expanded sanctions on Moscow, and sustained military and economic support for Kyiv.

The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, co-chaired online by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, convened heads of state, government officials, and senior EU representatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted several European leaders in person to underline both the severity of Russia’s war and Europe’s direct security stake in its outcome.

Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that Russia had failed to break the Ukrainian people or achieve its original objectives. European leaders echoed that assessment, arguing that Moscow has suffered significant battlefield losses for limited territorial gains and has not achieved strategic dominance.

The coalition reiterated that international borders must not be changed by force and that any peace settlement must be just, lasting, and rooted in the principles of the UN Charter. Leaders welcomed ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts while stressing that negotiations must involve Ukraine directly and respect its sovereignty.

Energy Infrastructure Under Strain

A major focus of the meeting was Russia’s sustained attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Over recent months, missile and drone strikes have targeted power plants, substations, and heating facilities, leaving millions without electricity during freezing winter conditions.

“Only the help of our friends and the resilience of our people gave us the possibility to survive. That’s why we are asking for help to renovate the energy system. I hope that we will end this war, but anyway, we have to think about next winter, and we need quick steps. We have plans,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine has called for accelerated delivery of air defense systems and interceptor missiles. Recent shipments under allied initiatives have reinforced certain regions, but officials say coverage remains insufficient given the scale of Russian aerial assaults. Zelenskyy emphasized that strengthening air defense is not only a military necessity but also essential to protect civilians and preserve economic stability.

European partners have mobilized generators, emergency grid equipment, and financial support to stabilize Ukraine’s energy sector. Additional pledges have been made to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund, reflecting broader recognition that infrastructure resilience is now a central pillar of the war effort.

Expanded Sanctions

European leaders used the anniversary to intensify economic pressure on Moscow. The United Kingdom announced its largest sanctions package to date, targeting more than 300 Russian energy companies and dozens of vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, used to bypass oil export restrictions and maintain revenue flows.

French President Macron argued that targeting oil transport networks and associated financial channels is essential to reduce Russia’s capacity to finance its war. He stressed that sanctions must be enforced more rigorously and that loopholes allowing continued oil sales through intermediaries must be closed.

The European Union is preparing to disburse the first tranche of a $90 billion macro-financial assistance package agreed in December. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that initial funds are expected in the coming months. He stated that financial assistance must be accompanied by long-term security guarantees to ensure that aggression against Ukraine “never happens again.”

However, internal divisions within the EU have complicated implementation. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has raised objections to certain funding mechanisms, citing energy and political concerns. Several European leaders criticized the delays, warning that hesitation risks undermining unity at a critical moment.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed that the financial package would move forward, emphasizing that Europe’s credibility depends on delivering sustained support to Kyiv.

I honored our warriors with state awards. For us, this is never just a ceremony – it is not a formality. Ukraine honors its heroes and lives thanks to its heroes – thanks to your loved ones, our warriors. Thanks to its people who did not surrender, who were not afraid, who fight… pic.twitter.com/Hj13hpmJG8

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 23, 2026

Diplomacy, Peace Talks, and Competing Narratives

Diplomatic efforts continue alongside battlefield developments. Zelenskyy indicated that further trilateral discussions involving the United States and Russia may take place in the coming days, but cautioned that Ukraine must prepare for all scenarios. “We need peace, but we have to prepare for any other kind of challenges from the Russian side,” he said.

He reiterated that Ukraine would not surrender territory in exchange for temporary stability. “We want peace. Strong, dignified, lasting peace,” Zelenskyy declared. “Do not nullify all these years, do not devalue all the struggle, courage, dignity, everything that Ukraine has gone through. We cannot, we must not, give it away, forget it, betray it.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary by defending the continuation of what Moscow calls its “special military operation.” Kremlin officials stated that Russia’s objectives have not yet been fully achieved and accused Western governments of prolonging the conflict by supplying weapons to Ukraine.

European leaders rejected those claims, arguing that it is Russia’s invasion that triggered the war and that peace depends on Moscow demonstrating a genuine willingness to negotiate.

Appeal to Washington

Zelenskyy also appealed directly to U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Kyiv. He suggested that seeing the destruction firsthand would clarify “who the aggressor is here and who must be pressured.”

While the United States continues diplomatic engagement, European officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining transatlantic unity. NATO representatives participating in the coalition meeting reiterated that security guarantees for Ukraine are essential to deter future aggression.

The Group of Seven nations also issued a statement reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and calling for sustainable peace grounded in international law.

Human Cost and National Resilience

Across Ukraine, the anniversary was marked by solemn ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers and civilians. Families gathered at memorial sites in Kyiv and other cities, laying flowers and observing moments of silence.

Zelenskyy released previously unseen footage from the underground bunker where he and his advisers sheltered during the first hours of the invasion in 2022. Recalling the early days of the war, he repeated the phrase that became symbolic of Ukraine’s resistance: he needed “ammunition, not a ride.”

Ukrainians displaced from eastern regions described ongoing hardship, including destroyed homes and uncertain futures. Civil society groups emphasized the psychological toll of four years of continuous conflict.

Europe’s Strategic Stakes

European Council President Antonio Costa said Europe stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and stressed that the continent’s future security is directly linked to Kyiv’s freedom. He stated that Russia cannot be permitted to secure at the negotiating table what it failed to achieve militarily.

Leaders repeatedly framed the conflict as a defining moment for European security architecture. Ukraine’s progress toward EU integration was highlighted as both a political signal and a long-term stabilizing mechanism. Officials stressed that accession reforms continue despite wartime pressures and that Ukraine’s future lies within European institutions.

As the war enters its fifth year, the message from Kyiv and its allies was consistent: peace remains the objective, but not at the cost of sovereignty. Military aid, economic assistance, and sanctions will continue in parallel with diplomatic efforts.

European leaders made clear that sustained unity will determine whether Ukraine emerges secure, sovereign, and integrated into the European community, or whether Russia succeeds in reshaping the continent’s security order through force.