• President Zelenskyy marks the fourth anniversary of Ukraine's war against Russia, asserting the country's resilience.
• Ukraine has defended its independence, and Zelenskyy vows to pursue lasting peace and justice.
• Ongoing peace talks have stalled over territorial disputes as Russia pushes for control of Donetsk.
• European allies gathered in Kyiv to support Ukraine, despite divisions over sanctions against Russia.
• The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides, making it Europe’s deadliest conflict since WWII.

On February 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commemorated the fourth anniversary of the war by reaffirming Ukraine's resolve against Russian aggression. He stated, "Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken the Ukrainian people. He has not won this war," emphasizing that Ukraine will strive to secure strong, lasting peace. This statement was made in the context of the immense sacrifices endured by both military personnel and civilians since the onset of the conflict in 2022, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives according to Reuters, CBS News, and SCMP.

Zelenskyy further highlighted the devastation caused by the war, stating, "We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace." Notably, he emphasized that any peace agreement must be mutually accepted by Ukrainians, not merely signed on paper. The conflict has also seen stalled peace negotiations mediated by the United States, primarily over disputed territories like the eastern Donetsk region, which Russia demands as part of any settlement. "We want peace; strong, dignified, lasting peace," he declared during his address, supported by Channel News Asia and AA.

The conflict’s fourth anniversary was marked by a gathering of international dignitaries in Kyiv, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She reiterated Europe's unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, "We will not relent until peace is restored. Peace on Ukraine's terms." However, the commemorations were marred by divisions among allies, particularly with Hungary’s veto on additional sanctions against Russia and financial support measures for Ukraine. These geopolitical concerns reflect the broader complexities of international responses to the war, as detailed in multiple reports from CBS News, SCMP, and Channel News Asia.

The heavy toll of the war has left Ukraine facing an estimated reconstruction cost of around $588 billion over the next decade, as highlighted by Zelenskyy's administration. Both military and civilian casualties remain high, and the humanitarian impact continues to mount with millions affected by the winter assaults on energy infrastructure. The situation exemplifies the dire need for international resolution, yet ongoing territorial disputes hinder progress towards peace, as noted in reports from AA, Reuters, and SCMP.