Kyiv [Ukraine], November 19 : The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement marking 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale military invasion, expressing gratitude for international support and urged to contribute to the implementation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's victory plan.
"We call on our partners to support our struggle, to contribute to the implementation of the Victory Plan and to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine, Europe and the entire world," the MFA stated.
"We call on our international partners to unite around the implementation of the Peace Formula, which is the only comprehensive vision for ending the war and establishing a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace. We need peace through strength, not appeasement. We are grateful to our partners for all the defence, financial, economic and humanitarian assistance they have provided. We call for continued and increased support. Restoring global stability and common security is impossible without restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," the statement added.
Further, MFA urged partners to strengthen Ukraine's air defence to protect critical energy facilities and respond more actively to Kremlin actions threatening Ukrainian nuclear energy facilities.
"We call on our partners to increase assistance to Ukraine, including strengthening the air shield to protect critical energy facilities; to actively participate in the restoration and reconstruction of our country; to respond more actively to the Kremlin's actions that threaten the functioning of Ukrainian nuclear energy facilities; to condemn and investigate Russian crimes against Ukrainian civilians; and to refute fakes that Russia uses to whitewash its war crimes," MFA said.
"For a thousand days now, Ukraine has been resisting the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation and has been fighting for its freedom, statehood, territorial integrity and the opportunity to develop freely and build its future. During this time, we have witnessed the true courage of the defenders of Zmiinyi Island, the heroism of the defenders of Azovstal, Bakhmut and other cities and towns, the tireless work of volunteers, and the unprecedented readiness of both the Ukrainian military and civilians to defend every piece of Ukrainian land," the statement added.
Despite the full-scale war, Ukraine is making progress on its path to joining the EU and NATO, implementing important reforms, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and maintaining the unity of society along the way, including all our people abroad. We are working to create the conditions for their return home.
According to the MFA, the Russian military invasion is accompanied by massive violations of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights.
The ministry also reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to resisting Russian occupation. "Ukraine will never submit to the occupiers," the MFA stated. "The Russian military will be punished for violating international law."