Statement by the Committee of the Ukrainian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand on the Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

February 24 marks one year since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Yet the war started in 2014, when the northern neighbour annexed Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Today it is a cruel expansionist war that violates the norms of international law, brings death to thousands of Ukrainians and destroys critical infrastructure. It masquerades as a so-called “special military operation” which aims to “de-nazify” and “de-militarise” Ukraine, but in reality is intended to annihilate Ukraine’s statehood and Ukrainians as a people. Putin’s authoritarian regime in Russia detests Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic choices and Ukrainians’ increasingly positive attitude towards their country’s European and NATO vectors.
The war is a battle between David and Goliath. Russia, equipped with nuclear weapons, has launched a war against a much smaller state, Ukraine, which once voluntarily gave up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for guarantees of its security and territorial integrity by several states, including Russia.
The year that has passed has been a tough test for Ukrainians. We can say with certainty that Ukraine has stood its ground, demonstrating heroism and resilience in defending its national interests and its sovereignty. All global progressive forces are on Ukraine’s side. In the international community there is strong support for Ukraine in the form of economic, humanitarian and, especially, military aid. It is telling that in February 2023 the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the Rammstein format was attended by representatives of 54 countries. We are witnessing a decisive change in the supply of heavy weaponry for the Ukrainian army. This support demonstrates the international solidarity that exists in the fight for democratic principles against a terrorist, totalitarian regime which strives to break the existing system of international relations.
What should we expect of the next twelve months? Predictions differ. Some anticipate a full victory for Ukraine and the de-occupation of all of Ukraine’s territories. Others foresee a frozen conflict or negotiations on Russia’s conditions. We, members of the Committee of the Ukrainian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand, believe that victory will belong to Ukraine on the conditions formulated by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At the time of the anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand continues to stand with Ukraine. USAANZ initiates and supports endeavours in the fields of scholarship and public information that help the academic community and the public at large to understand Ukraine and its determination to remain independent and democratic, despite the titanic challenges that it faces.
Glory to Ukraine.