We present to our readers an article by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yuriy Husev, dedicated to the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, published in the Azerbaijani outlet haqqin.az.
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The fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not merely a date. It marks another year lived beyond the line that divided people’s lives — not only in Ukraine — into “before” and “after.” It has been four years of pain and loss, but also four years of resilience, courage, solidarity, and faith in justice.
Russian aggression began in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea and the hybrid war in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. In the early morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest war in Europe since World War II. Missile, aerial, and drone strikes against peaceful cities, destroyed homes, ruined energy infrastructure, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble, millions of displaced people, thousands of innocent civilians killed, and tens of thousands of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported — this is the price Ukraine continues to pay for the right to remain an independent and sovereign state, for the right to determine its own future.
But the Putin regime miscalculated in the most important aspect — the strength of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine endured. Cities and regions held firm, the heroic nation stood strong, and the Ukrainian state survived. The army halted the offensive and liberated significant territories. Society united as never before. Ukrainians from different regions, regardless of ethnic background or faith, came together to defend their country, their land, their national identity, their freedom, and their values.
During these four tragic and decisive years of full-scale war, Ukraine has not been alone in its struggle. We are deeply grateful to international partners for political, humanitarian, economic, and energy support. I would like to express special thanks to the Republic of Azerbaijan — its leadership and people — who demonstrated sincere solidarity with Ukraine from the very first days of the war.
Azerbaijan has provided and continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected regions of our country, delivering vital equipment to Ukraine, particularly in the energy sector, and supporting the restoration of social infrastructure. As of today, the total value of assistance from Azerbaijan to Ukraine exceeds 45 million US dollars. This support carries not only practical but also profound symbolic meaning — it shows that Ukraine is not alone, that in difficult times we are supported by friends and true brothers who understand the value of freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
We highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s position based on respect for international law, the UN Charter, and in particular the principle of the inviolability of borders. In today’s world, these are not abstract formulas — they form the foundation of global security. The Republic of Azerbaijan, which itself has gone through a long and difficult path to restore its territorial integrity, understands us better than many other countries.
Today, Russia’s war against Ukraine has consequences far beyond our region. It has affected global food security, energy markets, and logistics chains worldwide. Russia deliberately uses food and energy resources as instruments of global pressure. Ukraine, despite full-scale military operations on its territory, continues to play a key role in ensuring global food stability, including supplying grain to countries that urgently need it.
We are defending not only our land — we are defending the principles on which the modern world order stands: the right to independence, the right to development, and the right of nations to live in a just world without war.
Over these four years, the Ukrainian people have paid an extremely high price. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have given their lives defending their homeland. Tens of thousands of civilians have become victims of shelling and occupation. Hundreds of towns and villages have been destroyed. Yet even among the ruins, Ukraine repairs and rebuilds, educates children, develops its economy, trade, and business, and brings its children and prisoners back home. Our resilience is the result not only of military strength but also of the spirit of the Ukrainian people and the support of our partners around the world.
We believe in a just peace — a peace based not on the right of force but on the force of law. Today, after four years of full-scale war and twelve years since the beginning of Russian aggression, our country remains open to cooperation, dialogue, and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening international security.
The strategic partnership between Ukraine and Azerbaijan is built on a solid historical foundation of mutual respect and support. We are interested in further developing political dialogue, economic partnership, and humanitarian and cultural ties.
These days, we do not only remember the tragic events of February 2022 — we look forward. Ukraine continues to fight. Ukraine is rebuilding. Ukraine is reforming. Ukraine is strengthening its international partnerships.
And Ukraine will certainly prevail — because it defends truth, freedom, and the very right to live and develop. I am convinced that the stronger international solidarity becomes, and the more actively countries unite their efforts in defending the principles of international law, the sooner a just and lasting peace will come.
Once again, I express sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan for its support, friendship, and the brotherly helping hand extended in the most difficult days. We value it. We remember it. And we are confident that new chapters lie ahead for our countries — expanding strategic partnership, successful and mutually beneficial cooperation, and genuine friendship built on trust, respect, and a shared peaceful and prosperous future for our peoples.
