Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised "victory" over Russia, as commemorations were held by Kiev's Western allies, on the one-year anniversary of the NATO-orchestrated war in Ukraine. "We endured. We were not defeated. And we will do everything to gain victory this year," Zelensky said in a statement released on social media.

Zelensky claims that "Ukraine has inspired the world. Ukraine has united the world," while Western countries are suffering from now low military supply, an energy crisis, and backlash from their people for spending billions while their people starve. Also, a number of businesses that have closed in Russia are now suffering major losses. 

After the western wave of sanctions hit #Russia, how are the companies that suspended their businesses in Russia doing? And did it "pay" to exit Russia?#UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/QIXUJRuew3

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 28, 2022

Western 'allegiance' to Ukraine 

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted on Friday, "People of Ukraine, France stands by your side. To solidarity. To victory. To peace."

People of Ukraine,
France stands by your side
To solidarity. To victory. To peace.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 24, 2023

Putin "will not reach his imperialistic goals," according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while activists intend to position a Russian tank in front of Moscow's embassy in Berlin.

While maintaining close ties with Russia, Beijing called on both countries to hold peace talks as soon as possible in a 12-point paper published Friday. "All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible," said the paper released on the foreign ministry's website.

According to a spokesperson for the Polish government, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was in Kiev on Friday.

Piotr Muller tweeted that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited Kiev a year after the start of the Russian offensive to send a loud and clear message that Ukraine would continue to have support in its fight against Russia.

Rok po rozpoczęciu rosyjskich działań wojennych premier @MorawieckiM udał się do Kijowa żeby dać jasny i wymierny sygnał dalszego wsparcia w obronie Ukrainy przed Rosją.
Tuż po wybuchu wojny, 15 marca, byliśmy w Kijowie żeby zagwarantować, że Ukraina nie zostanie sama. pic.twitter.com/jtrAOPL7dD

— Piotr Müller (@PiotrMuller) February 24, 2023

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On Friday, NATO reaffirmed its "resolute" commitment to Ukraine, declaring that "Russia's efforts to weaken the resolve of the courageous people of Ukraine are failing."

In addition, the alliance demanded an explanation from Russia for its "war crimes" and demanded that Moscow "immediately" put an end to its "illegal war," which was affecting the world's food and energy supplies.

The Western military alliance said, "We are further stepping up political and practical support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, and will maintain our support for as long as necessary to help Ukraine prevail."

#Italians are dissatisfied with their country and #NATO's interference in the war in #Ukraine, considering how far #Italy is from the warzone. pic.twitter.com/kB02Fxn9j6

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 29, 2023

While NATO stated its accusations against Russia, it is crucial to mention that Human Rights Watch called on Ukraine to investigate war crimes "possibly" committed by their soldiers during the NATO-orchestrated war. 

"We are further stepping up political and practical support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's invasion," the Western military alliance declared. "We will maintain our support for as long as necessary to help Ukraine prevail."

On her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Friday the "free world is indebted" to Ukrainians fighting to defend European values, vowing continued support for Kiev one year after the operation.

"Ukraine is not and will not be alone, because it is also defending the values of freedom and democracy on which the European identity was born," Meloni said in a video message.

Ukraine defense minister says preparing a 'counteroffensive'

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov declared on Friday that his country's forces were preparing to "drive Russian troops out of the country."

"A year ago, it was difficult for us to get serious weapons. Today, civilized countries see that you are the shield of Europe in the east," Reznikov told the armed forces, adding, "There will be a counteroffensive. We are working hard to prepare and secure it."

In response to Russia's military operation a year ago today, the West drove Europe downhill by sanctioning Russia and triggering an energy crisis in the Union and the UK. 

That said, the US and its G7 allies intended to announce new sanctions on Friday, and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington would send Ukraine a new $2 billion military aid package.

This week, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev to pledge new arms deliveries. "One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands," he tweeted. "Democracy stands. America -- and the world -- stands with Ukraine." 

On Thursday, the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia "immediately" and "unconditionally" withdraw its troops from Ukraine.