Deep Dive: Zelenskyy says Russia has not won as Ukraine war enters fifth year; European leaders visit Kyiv pledging support

From the geopolitical analyst's perspective, Zelenskyy's assertion that Russia 'has not won' reflects Ukraine's strategy of attrition warfare, aiming to exhaust Russian resources while maintaining territorial integrity amid a protracted stalemate. European leaders' visit to Kyiv on the fourth anniversary signals a unified Western front against Russian aggression, reinforcing NATO's eastern flank without direct military escalation. This diplomatic show of solidarity counters Moscow's narrative of inevitable victory, preserving Ukraine's bargaining position in potential future negotiations. The international affairs correspondent notes that pledges of continued support from European capitals underscore the war's transformation into a broader European security crisis, with implications for energy security, refugee flows, and defense spending across the continent. As the conflict enters its fifth year, cross-border effects ripple through global grain markets and hybrid threats like cyberattacks, affecting food prices in Africa and the Middle East. Ukraine's resilience, backed by European aid, prevents a Russian domino effect that could embolden authoritarian expansions elsewhere. Regionally, the intelligence expert highlights Kyiv's cultural significance as a symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty, rooted in centuries of resistance against imperial domination—from Cossack hetmanates to Soviet eras. Zelenskyy's framing leverages this historical defiance to rally domestic morale and international sympathy. Key actors include Ukraine seeking survival and reconstruction, European states balancing support with domestic fatigue, and Russia pursuing revanchist goals tied to its post-Soviet identity. Beyond Europe, the U.S. and China watch closely, with the former providing indirect leverage and the latter exploiting divisions for economic gain. Looking ahead, sustained European pledges could stabilize Ukraine's front lines, but war fatigue risks diluting commitments, potentially forcing concessions. The fifth-year milestone tests the endurance of transatlantic unity, with implications for global norms on territorial integrity and aggression.