BY ANDRII PRAVEDNYK
February 24, marked two years since the start of the Russian unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
During the two years, the Moscow regime has continued its merciless, bloodthirsty terror by shelling Ukrainian cities, striking civilians and critical infrastructure, in particular energy infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine, 7500 missiles as well as 800 drones have been fired by the Russians at Ukraine.
This policy of the Kremlin is clear, indicating of an attempt to impose the genocide of Ukrainian people, the desire of the Russian leader to destroy Ukrainians as a nation, to deprive Ukraine of the right to be an independent country.
Russia’s desire to destroy Ukrainians as a nation has its roots deep in the historical past. For centuries, Moscow has pursued an anti-Ukrainian, brutal policy aimed at the eradication of Ukrainian culture, language and traditions, and the Wipeout of the Ukrainian elites.
From the beginning of Russian full-scale invasion Russian occupiers damaged or destroyed 1,702 objects of cultural significance.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is yet another step that is part of a well-planned Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, which started on February 19, 2014 with the military operation of its armed forces on seizing a part of the Ukrainian territory — Crimean peninsula.
Illegal occupation and attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol was just the first Russian step aimed at undermining independence and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Despite the ongoing terror of the Kremlin, the Ukrainian people are giving a worthy rebuff to the Moscow onslaught and are making every effort to ensure the sustainable development of our country.
Even forced to deal with the consequences of devastating Russian attacks against our civil and industrial infrastructure, and channel all the human and economic resources to defend ourselves, Ukraine’s economy demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Ukraine’s GDP grew 5 percent in 2023. Consumer prices increased by 5.1 percent, which is the lowest growth in the last 3 years.
Share of mechanical and electrical engineering in the structure of the industrial products compared to the country’s GDP increased to 6.8 percent boosting self-reliance in terms of defence capabilities.
RESILIENCE
The capacity of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex increased threefold in 2023.
To receive an edge in military campaign against the Russian aggressor, Ukraine plans to produce one million FPV-drones in 2024.
More than 200 Ukrainian companies are currently involved in drone production and related services.
In 2023, Ukrainian Defence Forces achieved decisive success in the battle for the Black Sea.
After Russia withdrew from the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine succeeded in breaking Russian blockade of its seaports and securing an alternative Black Sea route for export of its agricultural and other commodities – a crucial contribution to global food security.
Ukrainian Defence Forces destroyed 23 out of 80 Russian Black Sea fleet warships and damaged 13 more, effectively pushing the enemy out of the western part of the Black Sea.
Russian military capabilities in occupied Crimea were significantly weakened by effective attacks against the headquarters of Russian fleet, military airfields and air defence systems.
At the same time, the Government of Ukraine continued implementing internal reforms aimed at boosting the effectiveness of state management.
According to Corruption Perception Index 2023, Ukraine ranked 104 improving its score by 3 points and climbing up 12 position in comparison to 2022.
The support of the international community in Ukraine’s struggle for its freedom should not be underestimated.
PEACE FORMULA
A substantial number of world countries fully support Ukrainian initiatives to ensure peace in Ukraine, in particular the Peace Formula.
In order to prepare draft framework documents for the implementation of the peace plan, it was decided to create working groups on each point of the Peace Formula.
The Ukrainian side has initiated meetings of national security and foreign policy advisors to find the way forward for the implementation of the Peace Formula.
Four meetings within the framework of this format took place on June 24-25, 2023 in Copenhagen (Denmark), on August 5-6, 2023 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), on October 28, 2023 in Valletta (Malta) and January 14, 2024 in Davos (Switzerland).
Representatives of over 80 countries and international organisations attended the recent meeting (the previous meetings were visited by 15, 42 and 66 delegations respectively), including delegations from many countries of Global South in particular Africa.
Its outcome demonstrated the unwavering support for the principles, on which the Ukrainian Peace Formula is based as a foundation for achieving comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
Andrii Pravednyk is the Ambassador of Ukraine to Kenya.
