From the geopolitical analyst's perspective, Zelenskyy's statement underscores the protracted nature of the Russia-Ukraine war, now at the four-year mark since the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. This declaration by Ukraine's president highlights Kyiv's strategic resilience against Moscow's objectives of subjugating Ukrainian sovereignty. Key actors include Russia under Vladimir Putin, seeking to reassert influence over former Soviet territories, and Ukraine led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, defending national independence with Western backing. The war's origins trace to 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, escalating to all-out invasion amid NATO expansion tensions and Russian security concerns. The international affairs correspondent notes the cross-border ripple effects, with NATO allies providing over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine, straining European energy markets due to sanctions on Russian oil and gas. Humanitarian crises persist, with millions displaced and global food prices spiked from Black Sea grain disruptions. Organizations like the UN document war crimes, while migration waves impact Poland and Germany hosting Ukrainian refugees. Beyond Europe, the US faces domestic debates on aid packages, and China maintains neutrality while buying discounted Russian energy, altering global trade dynamics. Regionally, the intelligence expert emphasizes Ukraine's cultural defiance rooted in Cossack history of resistance and post-Maidan Euromaidan Revolution identity shift away from Russian orbit. Putin's narrative frames the invasion as denazification and protection of Russian speakers, but Zelenskyy's words affirm unbroken Ukrainian spirit amid urban devastation in places like Mariupol. Strategic interests converge: Russia's pivot to North Korea and Iran for munitions signals isolation, while Ukraine's drone innovations challenge Russian air superiority. Outlook remains uncertain, hinging on US elections and European unity. Implications extend to global power shifts, with the war testing multipolar order as BRICS nations hedge against Western sanctions. Stakeholders like EU states grapple with defense spending hikes, and African nations face fertilizer shortages hurting agriculture.
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