Ukrainian woman in Norfolk says joy and happiness are gone from her life

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine remains on going, exactly three years since it started

krainian soldier comes to pay his respects at the "Wall of Heroes"
Author: Tom ClabonPublished 24th Feb 2025

A woman from Ukraine living in Norfolk is telling us that joy and happiness have disappeared from her life entirely - as her country continues fight on against the Russian military.

It's exactly three years since the Kremlin launched full scale invasion of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's country.

EU and world leaders will gather in Kyiv later for a meeting hosted by Ukraine's President which will aim to cover security guarantees for the country.

It comes just after Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed he'd give up his presidency in exchange for peace and Nato membership.

Sir Keir Starmer will be among those who join the discussions by call remotely.

"If the US, UK and NATO do not step up to support Ukraine... the country will disappear"

Natalia Scott lives in Sprowston, but is originally from Ukraine's capital Kyiv:

"On my last visit to Ukraine in November 2024, there were air-sirens everyday and sometimes three times a night.

"I was so exhausted after these sleepless nights, and I couldn't understand how my family continued to get up and carry on with their lives, but they did it time and time again.

"If the US, UK and NATO do not step up to support Ukraine and help it get a just peace, the country will disappear.

"There will be no stability and security in Europe and there will be millions of new refugees created."

"I don't see any way that Ukraine regains much territory"

Dr Ra Mason is from the University of East Anglia's School of Politics:

"There's no doubt that the Ukrainian forces have been extremely brave and surprisingly effective when it comes to withstanding Russia's advance.

"But, on the other-hand, Russia has established new territories in Ukraine that are most important to it.

"I don't see any way that Ukraine regains much territory. There would possibly be a swap deal for the Kursk region that the Ukrainians have made an incursion into.

"This could be traded for an area in the Donbas region, but that would be very limited if anything."

What's the Government said on this?

Defence Secretary, John Healy, is urging UK allies to heap "maximum pressure" on Vladimir Putin to force him to approach any negotiations seriously.

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