We must win: Zelensky's rallying cry as Ukraine conflict enters its third year

UKRAINE’S president Volodymyr Zelensky declared “we must win” as the country’s defiant stand against Vladimir Putin’s invading army was set to enter a third year.

- Jitendra Joshi

Touring a military hospital, he urged US Republicans to lift their block on billions of dollars in fresh military aid or face the risk of more Ukrainian soldiers falling on the battlefield.

“You understand that this help is crucial. So without it, sorry, we will have more and more such heroic guys who will be in the hospitals,” he told the US network Fox News.

There is increasing deadlock on many of the front lines, and signs of Ukrainian retreat on others. Mr Zelensky played down the loss last week of the eastern town of Avdiivka, and his army denied Russian claims that it had lost a key bridgehead at Krynky on the Dnipro river. In an overnight address, Mr Zelensky praised “the resilience and bravery of our warriors” and added: “Believing in Ukraine means believing in yourself and working for common strength. We must achieve our Ukrainian goals. We must win.”

Since Putin’s army invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there has been an unprecedented mobilisation of support in the West, both from governments and ordinary people.

Believing in Ukraine means working for common strength. We must achieve our goals. We must win Volodymyr Zelensky

Almost seven million Ukrainians have been helped by funds raised by the British public through the disasters emergency committee.