Give A Clear Date For Ukraine's Accession To EU: Zelenskyy On 4th Anniversary Of Russian Invasion

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 16:04 IST

On the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, Zelenskyy urged the EU for a clear accession date, highlighting Ukraine's resilience and NATO's call for increased support.

On the fourth anniversary of Russian invasion into Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday urged the European Union to give a “clear date" for his country’s accession to the bloc.

“It is important for us to receive a clear date for joining the EU," Zelenskyy said in a video address to the European Parliament, adding: “If there is no such guarantee, (Russian President Vladimir Putin) will find a way to block Ukraine for decades by dividing you, by dividing Europe."

Also Read: ‘Ukrainians Are Exhausted, But We Can’t Surrender’: Zelenskyy On Four Years Of War With Russia

Marking the fourth anniversary of the war, the President posted a video message to the nation shot inside the bunker complex.

“This office –- this small room in the bunker on Bankova Street –- this is where I held my first conversations with world leaders at the start of the war," Zelenskyy said in the address.

Sitting on a black leather chair in a cramped, white-walled room, he said: “Here I spoke with President (Joe) Biden, and it was right here that I heard: “Volodymyr, there is a threat. You need to leave Ukraine urgently. We are ready to help with that". “And here I replied that I need ammunition, not a ride."

According to AFP, while the presidential headquarters is in Bankova Street, the bunker appears to be a vast Soviet-era bomb shelter designed to support a rump government in the event of a massive attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Also Read: Thousands Of Civilians, Lakhs Of Soldiers: The Human Toll Of The 4-Year Ukraine-Russia War

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “The goals haven’t been fully achieved yet, which is why the military operation continues."

NATO On War Anniversary

NATO chief has warned Ukraine’s western allies to ramp up “military, financial and humanitarian aid" if Kyiv is to prevail against Russia.

“This support is essential. Ukraine needs more, because a promise of help does not end the war," Mark Rutte said during a ceremony at NATO headquarters. “Ukraine needs ammunition today and every day until the bloodshed stops."

He further said that the Western support was “imperative" to enable Ukraine to “defend itself against Russian terror from the sky and to hold the front lines".

AFP quoted Ukraine’s ambassador to the alliance, Alyona Getmanchuk, informing diplomats and military officers from NATO’s 32 member states “every additional air‑defence system, every delivery of ammunition, every interceptor missile not only saves lives — it strengthens Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table."

“When the fighting eventually stops, the peace has to halt with strong Ukrainian forces ready to deter and defend, and effective security guarantees from Ukraine’s partners — Europe, Canada and the United States," Rutte said.

“There cannot be true peace in Europe without real peace in Ukraine," he said. “This has been a bleak winter for Ukraine, but there is hope and help at hand."

Meanwhile, the European leaders reached Kyiv for a candle-lighting ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

According to SkyNews, among those expected in Kyiv include the highest-ranking EU officials – Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council.

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