King Charles praises valour of 'heroic' Ukrainians as he marks two-year anniversary of Russian invasion

King Charles praises valour of 'heroic' Ukrainians as he marks two-year anniversary of Russian invasion

King Charles was reduced to tears by well-wishers

GB News
Dimitris Kouimtsidis

By Dimitris Kouimtsidis


Published: 24/02/2024

- 13:59

Updated: 24/02/2024

- 14:11

His Majesty issued a touching message to the Ukrainian people on the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion

King Charles has praised the valour and heroism of the Ukrainian people as he marked the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion.

His Majesty's statement read: "The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year.


Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.

"Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelenskyy and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.

King Charles and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

King Charles praised Volodymyr Zelenskyy's valour

PA

"I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need.

"My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers."

This comes as the UK reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, with Rishi Sunak saying Britain was prepared to do "whatever it takes".

The Prime Minister pledged almost £250million towards producing artillery shells.

Sunak signed a new security agreement with Kyiv last month and announced £2.5billion of military aid to Ukraine over the coming year.

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Zelenskyy on the front line

Zelenskyy went to the front line in Kharkiv

Reuters

He said "we must renew our determination" on this "grim anniversary".

"This is the moment to show that tyranny will never triumph and to say once again that we will stand with Ukraine today and tomorrow," he said.

"We are prepared to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, until they prevail."

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps echoed these statements claiming that "we will stand by Ukraine as long as it takes".

Speaking to GB News Defence Secretary Shapps said: "Two years ago today, I went to a Cobra meeting and then I phoned up my opposite number, a minister called Kubrakov, and he was standing in a field, actually was a zoom like this.

King Charles reading cards from well-wishers

King Charles received cards from well-wishers following his cancer diagnosis

PA

"And he was standing in a field outside Kyiv, fully expecting perhaps in the next couple of days, the Russian army to enter the capital.

"And here we are entering the third year, and that hasn't happened. You ask how long? The answer has to be as long as it takes.

"Can you imagine what would happen if we allow the civilised world, allow Putin to walk into his democratic neighbor Ukraine? Take that over.

"Who here thinks that he would stop there, that he wouldn't carry on invading other countries? We've seen all this in Europe before, and we've also seen in the last week just how callous and ruthless Putin is.

"He murders his opponents in cold blood. The guy cannot be allowed to do this to the world. And that's why we're going to have to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes."

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