Narratives in Media Coverage of Ukraine

Two-year Anniversary of Invasion

• The second anniversary of Russia’s invasion was marked by frustration over stalled international military aid and support. (NBC; see also Reuters)
• European Commission Vice President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were in Kyiv on Saturday to reaffirm their support for Ukraine.  Von der Leyen wrote about the visit, saying “more than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine.  Financially, economically, militarily, and morally.  Until the country is free.” (Politico; see also AP News, Euractiv, Euractiv, The Brussels Times, Le Soir, Le Soir, Le Soir)
• Hungary blocked a statement pledging “unwavering” EU support for Ukraine.  Instead, the statement was sent in the names of European Council President Charles Michel, von der Leyen, and Metsola. (Politico)
• POLITICO put together a roadmap for Ukraine’s 2024, arguing that Ukraine’s success in 2024 will depend on managing expectations around Ukraine’s current military capabilities, countering Russia’s now superior artillery capabilities, and securing Western aid. (Politico; see also AP News, Euractiv)
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that delays of aid from allies have made fighting “very difficult” along the front lines. (AP News)
• European leaders released a statement praising the “fortitude and determination” of the “heroic” Ukrainian people on the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion. (Agence Europe)
• The Council of Europe also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and said it is ready to support the creation of a Special Tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression. (Agence Europe)

Warnings About Stalled Aid

• The foreign ministers of Britain and Poland warned that a failure to come through on aid to Ukraine “will remake the world as we know it.”  They urged the United States and allies to continue providing aid and promoted the idea of using seized Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. (Politico)

Aid and Defense Pacts

• Ukraine and Denmark signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, joining the UK, Germany, and France.  Denmark’s Defense Minister announced that F-16 fighter jets should be delivered to Ukraine by this summer. (Euractiv; see also Reuters, Politico)
• As Sweden prepares to join NATO with Hungary getting closer to signing off on its accession, the Swedish government announced a $683 million package of military aid for Ukraine. (Politico)
• Ukraine signed separate long-term security agreements with France and Germany to provide more support and training for Ukraine.  Germany committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence “for as long as it takes” and building up Ukraine’s forces “to deter any future attack,” while France agreed to “contribute to the long-term structural and comprehensive strengthening of Ukraine” as long as Ukraine is not a part of NATO.  Each country also announced new military support packages for Ukraine. (Politico)
• Canada and Italy each signed 10-year security agreements with Ukraine while visiting Kyiv. (Reuters; see also AP News, Euractiv, Le Soir)
• The Czech Republic, backed by Canada, Denmark, and others, will help finance the fast purchase of hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries for Ukraine. (Reuters)
• The Netherlands said it would sign a 10-year security pact with Ukraine in support of its military, reconstruction, and cyberdefenses. (Reuters)

Farm Protests

• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk turned down a request for an emergency meeting by Zelenskyy about a border blockade by Polish farmers.  Tusk has said that his government will protect Polish farmers and agricultural producers and is looking for a way to compromise with the protestors. (Politico)
• Ukraine’s largest poultry business MHP has been targeted by French farmers and politicians as flooding the European market with cheap poultry.  MHP is now claiming that the attacks against it and claims of “unfair competition” from Ukraine amount to a disinformation campaign. (Politico)  

Russian Use of North Korean Weapons

• A report by the Security Service of Ukraine said that Russia has used at least 20 North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine, which have killed at least 24 civilians and injured at least 100. (Politico)

Sanctions Against Russia

• The European Union agreed to its 13th round of sanctions against Russia to mark two years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion.  The package adds 200 to the list of individuals banned from traveling to the EU and individuals and companies face freezes on their assets (Politico; see also AP News).
• The United States also imposed further sanctions against Russia targeting more than 500 people and entities both as a mark of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. (Reuters; see also AP News)

Russia Takes Control of Avdiivka

• Russia took control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka after Ukraine’s withdrawal of forces from the city.  Zelenskyy said that the retreat had come from an “artificial deficit” in ammunition, calling again for Ukraine’s allies to deliver more artillery. (Politico; see also Reuters)
• Russian forces have continued to advance west after taking Avdiivka, according to its defense ministry. (Reuters)
• Russian President Putin said that Russia would continue to push into Ukraine after taking Avdiivka. (Euractiv)

Death of Navalny

• Zelenskyy blamed Putin for Navalny’s death, saying, “It is obvious to me: he was killed—like other thousands who were tortured to death because of this one man.” (Politico)

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Steel Factory

• Ukrainian drones hit a Russian steel factory, causing a large fire.  The plant was in Lipetsk, about 400 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border, and is responsible for about 19% of Russian steel output. (Reuters)

Plans for German Aid

• The German Foreign Minister said that Germany was still discussing whether to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.  Ukraine has pushed Western countries for new weapons systems, including U.S. ATACMS and Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles. (Reuters; see also AP News)

Prosecution of War Crimes

• The Ukrainian Prosecutor General announced that Ukraine has launched investigations concerning more than 122,000 suspected war crimes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. (Reuters)

Ukraine Peace Conference

• Switzerland has announced that it will organise a Ukraine peace conference “by the summer” in support of Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan, which includes the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, and more. (Reuters)

Ukraine at the United Nations

• Ukraine’s foreign minister said that those who believe that Ukraine cannot win the war with Russia will be mistaken, saying “Ukraine will win the war” and, with the support of other nations, victory will come “sooner rather than later.” (AP News)

Author: Sophie Adams-Smith, Media Analyst, Promote Ukraine