King praises ‘truly remarkable courage’ of Ukrainian people on first anniversary of Russia’s invasion
The King has praised the “truly remarkable courage” of the Ukrainian people, in a message marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
The King, who earlier this month met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also said he hoped the outpouring of solidarity from across the world would bring “strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united”.
“It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation,” he said in a statement.
“They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.
Ukraine war – latest: Marking a year of war in Europe
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have had the great pleasure of meeting here in the UK and, indeed, across the world, from Romania to Canada.
“It is heartening that the United Kingdom, along with its allies, is doing everything possible to help at this most difficult time.
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Bells ring in Kyiv on war anniversary
“Therefore, I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
The statement is the first major comment by a British monarch on the Ukraine conflict.
His mother, the late Queen, avoided direct comments on political matters throughout her 70-year reign.
However, there was much speculation over a large bunch of flowers in the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow that appeared when she met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March 2022.
The Queen met with Justin Trudeau in March 2022, with a bouquet of yellow and blue flowers in the background.
Pic:AP
She also offered her “warmest greetings” to mark Ukraine’s annual Independence Day in August last year, in what she described as “this most challenging year”.
The King’s statement comes after he met with President Zelenskyy this month, during the war-time leader’s first visit to the UK since the Russian invasion of his country began.
He greeted the president in Buckingham Palace, saying he was delighted to meet him.
“We’ve all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long,” the King said.
On Friday, a defiant Zelenskyy said Ukrainians had proven themselves to be “invincible” as he attended a parade and memorial service out in the open in central Kyiv to mark a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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President Zelenskyy meets the King
On a day of commemorations and defiance, the Ukrainian president presented awards in the capital outside St Sophia Cathedral to surviving soldiers and wives and daughters of fallen “heroes”.
He described the past year as one of “pain, sorrow, faith and unity”.
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Earlier, the Ukraine leader, who has remained steadfast alongside his people in the resistance against Vladimir Putin’s invading forces, said in a video message: “We are ready for anything. We will defeat everyone.”
Sitting behind a desk and recalling how he addressed Ukrainians a year ago, he described 24 February last year as “the longest day of our lives, the most difficult day in our recent history”.
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Families of ‘fallen heroes’ receive medals
“We woke up early and haven’t slept since,” he said.
In a separate tweet, he wrote: “On 24 February, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting and fighting.
“It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible.
“We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!”
He posted his comments alongside a video reflecting on the first 12 months of the bloody conflict which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.
It included footage of families torn apart and in tears, and the destruction of cities, as well as remembering the war dead.
However, it also hailed the “bravery” of the Ukrainian people against the invading forces, and looked ahead to a year of “hope, endurance and invincibility”.
Weather warnings are in place for snow, wind and rain across much of the UK on New Year’s Day.
The start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.
Pic: Met Office
The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.
The wind looks strongest in the south, Mr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.
The stormy weather continues on 2 January, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and parts of Scotland.
The UK has faced widespread disruption over the last few days, as thick fog descended.
Tens of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled, while drivers were warned about dangerous conditions with poor visibility.
Revellers are also set for a “wet and rather windy” New Year’s Eve, with the potential for a snowy Hogmanay in Scotland.
There could be some “possibly disruptive weather” on 31 December, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said, with Scotland likely to see the worst of it.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.
The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland as well as north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.
The forecaster also warned that delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas.
Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.
A pensioner who is refusing to leave what’s being branded Britain’s loneliest housing estate has told Sky News he is facing bullying and intimidation tactics to force him out.
Nick Wisniewski’s ex-council flat in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire is set to be demolished because the local authority wants to redevelop the area, which has become a derelict eyesore.
The vast area on the outskirts of Glasgow used to have almost 1,000 properties, but slowly the bulldozers have moved in, creating huge mounds of rubble where homes once stood.
The land is overgrown, with all remaining properties boarded up – apart from the retired bank worker’s home, which demolition teams have been unable to touch as he refuses to budge.
Nick Wisniewski claims he is being bullied to leave his home
Rubble where homes on the estate once stood
‘They’ll basically need to drag me out’
The 68-year-old, whose neighbours were all rehomed in 2023, bought the flat in 2017 under the discounted right-to-buy scheme and is now mortgage-free.
He told Sky News he rejected an initial offer from North Lanarkshire Council of £35,000 plus two year’s rent as it would not be enough to buy a new place.
Contemplating a time in the future when he is forced out, he said: “By law they can smash my door down, they can come in here, manhandle me to get me out. That’s the law, and they’ll basically need to drag me out.”
Asked if he is prepared to go to that length to stop himself being removed, he said: “I am hoping it doesn’t come to that, but if it does then so be it.”
He reveals a compulsory purchase order process is now under way.
A compulsory purchase order is the legal power given to a local council to buy a property without the owner’s consent.
The legal battle will now be resolved by the Scottish government in due course.
There used to be almost a thousand properties on the estate
He said: “It’s been all intimidation, bullying, lies. They offered me £40,000 over a year ago. I thought they’d have offered me a wee bit more. I would accept, probably, £60,000.
“They had a meeting a couple of weeks ago saying that they are starting legal, which means compulsory purchase order.
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“There’s so many stages to that and it’ll take a while for that to come in to force.”
North Lanarkshire Council told Sky News it “completely refutes” any allegations of bullying or intimidation.
A spokesman said: “We are continuing to try and engage with the remaining resident and our focus is on progressing our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple for the benefit of the local community.”
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