“Russia’s aggression began in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea and the hybrid war in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and in the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which became the largest war in Europe since the end of World War II,” said Ukraine’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Yuriy Husyev in an article, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, APA reports.
The diplomat said that Putin miscalculated in the most fundamental issue — by underestimating the strength of the Ukrainian people: “Ukraine stood firm. Cities and regions stood firm, the heroic people stood firm, the Ukrainian state stood firm! The army repelled the attack and liberated significant territories. Society became more united than ever before. Ukrainians from different regions, ethnic backgrounds, and religious beliefs came together to defend their country, their land, their national identity, their freedoms, and their values.”
According to the ambassador, during the years of full-scale war, Ukraine has not been left alone in its suffering: “We express our deep gratitude to our international partners for their political, humanitarian, economic, and energy support. I would like to extend special thanks to the Republic of Azerbaijan, its leadership, and its people, who demonstrated sincere solidarity with Ukraine from the very first days of the war. Azerbaijan has provided and continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected regions of our country, sending vital equipment to Ukraine, particularly for the energy sector, and supporting the restoration of social infrastructure. As of today, the total value of Azerbaijan’s assistance to Ukraine exceeds 45 million US dollars. This support is not only practical but also carries profound symbolic significance. It shows that Ukraine is not alone, that in difficult times we are supported by friends and true brothers who understand the value of freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
He noted that Ukraine highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s position based on international law, the UN Charter, and particularly the principle of the inviolability of borders. “In the modern world, these are not abstract formulas — they are the foundation of global security, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has gone through a long and difficult path to restore its territorial integrity, understands us better than many other countries.”
The diplomat emphasized that the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Azerbaijan is built on a strong historical foundation of mutual respect and support.
Husyev stated that Ukraine is not only defending its own land — it is defending the principles that form the basis of the modern world order: the right to independence, the right to development, and the right of peoples to live in a just world without war.
“Over these four years, the Ukrainian people have already paid an extremely heavy price. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives defending their homeland. Tens of thousands of civilians have fallen victim to shelling and occupation. Hundreds of cities and villages have been destroyed. Yet even among the ruins, Ukraine rebuilds and creates, children continue their education, the economy, trade, and business develop, and we bring our children and prisoners back home. Our resilience is the result not only of military strength, but also of the strength of spirit of the Ukrainian people and the support of our partners around the world.
We believe in a just peace — a peace based not on the rule of force, but on the force of law. Today, after four years of full-scale war and twelve years since the beginning of Russian aggression, our country remains open to cooperation, dialogue, and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening international security,” the ambassador said.
He added that Ukraine will definitely win because it is defending truth, freedom, and the very right to live and develop: “I am confident that the stronger international solidarity is, and the more united the efforts of states defending the principles of international law become, the sooner a just and lasting peace will be established. I once again sincerely thank Azerbaijan for its support, friendship, and the brotherly helping hand extended in the most difficult days. We highly appreciate it. We do not forget it. And we are confident that ahead of us lie new chapters of expanded strategic partnership between our countries, successful and mutually beneficial cooperation, and genuine friendship based on mutual trust, respect, and the shared peaceful and prosperous future of our peoples.”
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