Kuzmenko Andrii
A decade has passed since the onset of one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 21st century – Russian aggression against Ukraine. What began as a Moscow`s territorial claims and defending of so called “Russian world” escalated into a full-scale war, leaving behind a trail of devastation, loss, and perpetual suffering for the Ukrainian people.
The conflict commenced with the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russian forces in February 2014, followed by the Kremlin`s support for Russia backed separatist movements in Eastern Ukraine. Despite international condemnation and sanctions imposed on Russia at the time, Moscow launched a full-fledged armed invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which continues actively and has already resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and mass displacement of civilians.
The war on Ukraine not only threatens its sovereignty and existence but also poses a serious challenge to the security and stability of the entire European continent and the world at large. Today, the world finds itself ensnared in an existential struggle against undermining of international laws, state’s sovereignty and territorial integrities.
A sad reality is that this situation has become possible due to Russia’s long-term efforts to erode the unity of the global community. For many decades, it has actively influenced political processes, undermining the foundations of democracy and the rule of law. This raises serious concerns and demands immediate action from all countries striving for peace and stability.
Ukraine’s fight for freedom extends beyond reclaiming its territory only; it is a battle to preserve peace and security in Europe and all over the world.
Ukrainian military forces not only defend their land but also serve as a bulwark against potential expansion of the war into other European countries.
The proposed Peace Plan by President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, known as “the Peace Formula,” aims to ensure not only peace for Ukraine but also a safe and just world after the end of this war and security for humanity for decades to come, including food, energy, nuclear, and environmental security.
Throughout this challenging period, Ukraine has consistently found support from the most influential world powers, including the State of Qatar. Qatar’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty within the UN framework since the conflict’s inception deserves high appreciation.
Multiple fruitful contacts between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and Amir of the State of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s participation in “the Peace Formula”, the visit of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Qatar to Ukraine last year, Qatar’s participation in Ukraine’s Grain Initiative “Grain from Ukraine” underscore the dedication of the leadership of the State of Qatar to a soonest peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The human losses of the conflict cannot be overstated. Hundreds of thousands of people, including civilians, have been killed or injured, and millions have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge elsewhere in Ukraine or abroad. The ongoing violence has ravaged communities, and destroyed infrastructure, forcing many people to attempt to start their lives anew. In this context, Qatar’s humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian civilians, affected by the conflict, is invaluable. Qatar has provided significant assistance to ease the suffering of Ukrainian civilians affected by the conflict. Additionally, Qatar’s efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia and Qatar’s participation in the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children demonstrate its commitment to human rights and support for vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.
As Ukraine continues to fight to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, it remains grateful to Qatar for its support and partnership and, in the face of unprecedented challenges, calls on the global community to unite and show solidarity. The international community must redouble its efforts to support Ukraine.
With Qatar and other influential allies by our side, we remain steadfast in our determination to build a brighter future for our upcoming generations. Together, we must work towards ending the Russian war on Ukraine aggression, upholding international law, and ensuring a peaceful future for Ukraine and the wider European region and the world at large.
The 10th anniversary of Russian war on Ukraine serves as a grim reminder of the enduring human cost of war and the importance of collective action in the pursuit of peace and justice. In the future, we must reflect on the lessons learned from this war and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rule of law.
