“They may burn the planes, but not our dreams. If we keep fighting, we will win”

On the morning of February 24, 2022, dozens of Russian helicopters landed at Antonov Airport -Hostomel- on the outskirts of Kiev. Its purpose was to build an air bridge and a Center Logistics to complete the capture of the capital in just 72 hours after the offensive and bombardment began. Victory seemed certain, but the Ukrainian resistance, prepared due to warnings from North American intelligence, managed to surround the attacker, shoot down some of his vehicles and prevent mass arrival of troopsAllowing space to regroup and coordinate the response.

Russia, with its divisions launched from Belarus, was on the verge of breaking the pincer and held the siege until April, but the battle went down in the books as a success and Example of preparation, courage and perseverance, This area controlled since then is one of the symbols of the war with Irpin or Bucha.

That’s why Hostomel was the place chosen by the President this Saturday Zelensky to commemorate second anniversary of intense war, Ukraine remembers and honors its dead with sadness, helplessness and great anger, but it does not do so alone. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kiev this Saturday, his seventh visit since the invasion, not to trend, but to hold the hands of his neighbors and, perhaps, future community partners. He was also accompanied by the Prime Minister of Belgium, alexander de crew, whose country holds the temporary presidency of the Council of the European Union; Italian georgia melloni, who is currently holding the presidency of the G7 and who, in fact, led a videoconference meeting with world leaders from here; and canadian too justin trudeauAs a symbol of transatlantic support.

Two years of war, of pain, hundreds of thousands of victims, millions of displaced people and countless destruction. Two years of horror, barbaric crimebarbarism in the occupied territories and incalculable loss, Two years of sustained, determined and even surprising support for Ukraine from North America and Europe. Two years of sanctions against Moscow, economic warfare, rivalries across the geopolitical board and realignment of alliances. In two years the West certainly did not do everything it could or did not do it at the pace required, and hesitated, failed on many occasions, but in which it went beyond anyone’s dreams, breaking all barriers. Gone. Red line Imaginable and stood up to the attacker in a way it didn’t in 2008 or 2014.

The situation at the front is very difficult, political doubts are growing and even greater hope for Kiev is the opening of EU accession negotiations,It is delayed and complicated. This is one of the most delicate moments, and the foreign and defense ministers of the EU, but also of NATO, do not hide their point. Worry, Russia, which looked sinking in 2022, seems to be gaining momentum by regrouping and getting support from North Korea, Iran or China.

international support

Hence the need for the presence of world leaders among the open hearts of giants on the outskirts of the capital Antonov National pride was destroyed by Russian aviation for decades. Between the burnt-out tanker vehicles that still line the runway and the half-demolished buildings with thousands of bullet holes in their fronts. War began in the air, the first battles were for an airfield, and today wars are fought, on a large scale, between drone And distant shots. It is no coincidence that, just hours earlier, Ukrainians were celebrating the downing of one of the Russian spy planes, a Russian A-50, over the Sea of ​​Azov.

This weekend’s Zelensky is a slower pace, much calmer than at previous summits. He doesn’t have everything he wants, he doesn’t have everything he needs, but he fell apart. Thank and praise your neighbors and colleagues, They need them more than ever and there have been no insults, personal attacks, insults or moral blackmail.

The presence of all, including soldiers who participated in the war and those who received some of the highest military decorations in a simple ceremony, in the morning at the Hostonel, in the afternoon at the Mariinsky Presidential Palace, together with the rest of the G7 members. Late in a video conference, it was symbolic, yes, but not only that. Children don’t eat symbolism, salaries aren’t paid with iconic images and armored marches don’t stop with hope. tweets From the sofa.

Canada and Belgium take advantage of the signing movement military cooperation agreements Of a period of 10 years, as all the allies are doing little by little. “Wars cannot be won by symbols, facts are also needed,” Italian Meloni said, attacking those who engage in false flags of peace, particularly in his country. “Peace cannot be surrender and we will never support it.”, he promises. Von der Leer used their meetings to talk about the negotiating framework for the opening of accession talks, which she will present in March with the aspiration of hopefully being able to start in late summer. but also from below 50 billion euro aid For the next four years, which has been approved by 27 this month and the first check of which will also be sent in a few weeks.

pride and pain

The second anniversary, “of pride and pain”, as they said at commemorative events, rings true black Swan, an event that was impossible to predict that changed everything. The war has deeply shaken the world stage, but if there is anything predictable in the international system, it is Russian imperialist aggression. was a swan Ukrainian resistance, that it will not fall in a week as almost everyone, and all world leaders, thought 104 weeks ago. “They destroyed Antonov“The world’s largest aircraft, but they haven’t destroyed your dream,” Von der Leyen said optimistically. This week, two years ago, the invasion began, but this same week, a decade ago, Ukrainians were already dying from bullets in city centers and on the streets sacrificing themselves to reclaim their democracy.

These days there is a race to try it in Europe Increase production of arms and ammunition, There are promises but they are not implemented, not at the expected or committed level. Even the one million drones and one million projectiles most commonly used in the defense sector is ambitious, but for this we will have to produce at scale and truly move towards economies of war manufacturing. Zelensky was clear when asked about this. Without any drama, exaggeration or too many complaints. “What do we need? Most of all, Help may come in time, It’s hard, we understand, but it’s important. I am not blaming anyone, but we urgently need anti-aircraft defense to protect our cities. We need it in places like Kharkiv long range weapons, Because the Russians can attack us, but we cannot attack back. And we need to remain completely isolated. PutinThat no one benefits from backroom agreements,” he said during the final presentation.

Shaken by replacements, disputes, disinformation campaigns, tensions and jealousies, the Ukrainian government and its military need a morale boost from soldiers, civilians and millions of Europeans or North Americans who are sympathetic to the cause. , but they are easily distracted and from a comfortable distance they do not realize the urgency of what is at stake. Circumstances are not favourable, but if one can control art of seduction, inspiration, epic, this is Zelensky. And this Saturday he demonstrated it again. He was alone in the middle of a vast desert area, surrounded by his troops and international delegations. He single-handedly recorded a five-minute video with extraordinary emotional charge on his cell phone. Speaking to his compatriots one by one, he declared his pride and admiration. And sending messages to anyone who wants to listen.

“We all have different memories about the beginning of the war, millions of stories about where we were, what we were doing and who we called on February 24, but when its end will come there will only be one There will be only one story, one shared by all: victory. Here, better than anywhere else, you understand. The metal did not hold up,” he said in front of the destroyed planes, “but the Ukrainians held on.” He said, there is no need for prophets or pirates, but only to follow the famous saying taras shevchenkoBard and hero of freedom: “Keep fighting and we will undoubtedly win. They may burn the planes, but not our dreams.”