Diplomats call for continued global support as Ukraine marks 4 years of war

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar and the Canadian High Commissioner Joshua Tabah with a section of senior military officers during the commemoration of four years of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2026/ High Commission of Canada

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, and the Canadian High Commissioner Joshua Tabah have called for continued global support even as Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine begins its fifth year.

In a joint commemoration hosted by the High Commission of Canada, Ambassador Tokar, called for sustained global backing, warning that peace cannot be achieved through compromise on Ukraine’s sovereignty.

He detailed the war’s devastating toll, noting millions displaced, thousands killed, and entire cities reduced to rubble.

“Every additional day of war costs us lives. Every week enlarges cemeteries. Every month deepens wounds that will take generations to heal,” Tokar said, highlighting the ongoing human suffering.

He explained that Russia initially sought a rapid takeover, but when that failed, the campaign shifted to prolonged bombardment and attrition, deliberately targeting civilians and infrastructure. Since February 2022, over 13,300 missiles have been launched against Ukraine, Tokar said.

The ambassador condemned attempts to frame peace talks as a solution that would legitimise territorial occupation.

“And the peace presented with a precondition – recognition of territorial seizure – does not resolve conflict. It ratifies it,” he said.

“Peace cannot be constructed on confiscation. And sovereignty cannot be negotiated under fire.”

Tokar credited Ukrainian armed forces and civilians for resisting the invasion, defending cities, and liberating occupied territories.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar and the Canadian High Commissioner Joshua Tabah during the commemoration of four years of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2026/ High Commission of Canada

He also acknowledged international partners, whose military, humanitarian, and financial support have been essential.

“Russia believed brutality would break Ukraine. It believed fear would erase identity. It was wrong. Russia thought it was destroying Ukraine. Instead, it forged it,” he said.

Tokar concluded by emphasising that sustainable peace requires security guarantees, preservation of sovereignty, and global solidarity to prevent future aggression.

The commemoration brought together diplomats, government officials, and members of the Ukrainian community to reflect on the human and geopolitical cost of the conflict and to reiterate international support for Ukraine.

High Commissioner of Canada, Joshua Tabah, echoed the ambassador, describing the invasion as “an illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable act of aggression.”

He praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people in defending democracy, national identity, and territorial integrity.

“While it remains dark today, spring is coming. Ukraine is standing after four years of illegal Russian attacks because the Ukrainian people know this fight will be won,” Tabah said, highlighting both the endurance of Ukrainians and the importance of continued international support.

He condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, forcibly displaced children, and Ukrainian prisoners of war subjected to inhumane treatment.

Tabah also noted the wider global impact of the conflict, particularly in Africa. Citing a report by Kenya’s National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, he revealed that over 1,000 Kenyans had been deceived into joining the war under false pretenses.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar and the Canadian High Commissioner Joshua Tabah with other officials during the commemoration of four years of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2026/ High Commission of Canada

“Most of these Kenyans were tricked by rogue agents who promised actual job opportunities… only to find themselves sent to the front lines of an illegal conflict,” he said.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed Canada’s long-standing support for Ukraine, noting over $23.5 billion in defense, humanitarian, and economic assistance since 2022.

“By supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction priorities, we are standing up to criminals and terrorists, while building a world that is more peaceful, democratic, and rooted in international law,” Tabah said.

The commemoration concluded with a moment of silence to honor civilians, children, and soldiers who have lost their lives, underscoring the ongoing human cost of the conflict and the resilience of the Ukrainian nation.

Both diplomats called for continued international solidarity to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term recovery.

This solemn event highlighted the enduring impact of Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022, and reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to support Ukraine in its fight for survival and restoration.