President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended a warm welcome to Western leaders in Kyiv on Saturday, commemorating the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The occasion comes at a critical juncture, with Ukrainian forces grappling with an ammunition shortage and the fate of foreign aid hanging in the balance.

Supportive allies from the EU and the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy democracies stood in solidarity with Kyiv.

Zelenskyy, participating in a virtual G7 meeting on Saturday, was joined by four world leaders who traveled to Ukraine’s war-weary capital.

Reflecting on the challenging times, Zelenskyy remarked, “Two years ago, here, we met enemy landing forces with fire; two years later, we meet our friends and our partners here.”

The meeting took place at Hostomel airfield, just outside Kyiv, a location that Russian paratroopers unsuccessfully attempted to seize in the initial days of the conflict.

As Ukraine enters the third year of its struggle against Russia, a somber atmosphere permeates the country, the Associated Press reported.

Kyiv’s troops confront escalating challenges on the frontline, dealing with depleting supplies and personnel constraints.

The recent withdrawal from the strategically significant eastern city of Avdiivka marked a substantial victory for Moscow.

Despite Ukraine’s summertime counteroffensive, Russia retains control over roughly a quarter of the country, as major breakthroughs have remained elusive.

Written by B.C. Begley