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A Year of War

SOLEMN OCCASION A crowd gathers in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, on February 24 in support of Ukraine. ROMY ARROYO FERNANDEZ—NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Demonstrations took place around the world on February 24. It was the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. People showed their support for Ukraine and their opposition to the war started by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said his country would be victorious. “I don’t think, I know, it will happen this year.”

In the past year, some of the world’s most powerful countries have provided military aid to Ukraine. On the day of the demonstrations, President Joe Biden said the United States would supply even more weapons.

World leaders have punished Russia with sanctions, to hurt its economy. Europe no longer buys oil from Russia. And it has reduced its reliance on the country’s natural gas.

The war has left tens of thousands of people dead. The United Nations says more than 8 million people have fled Ukraine for other parts of Europe.

In Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, Tetiana Klimkova had a blue and yellow ribbon on her purse—Ukraine’s national colors. “This day has become a symbol for me,” she said, “that we have survived for a whole year and will continue to live.”

Stop and Think! Why is the war’s anniversary newsworthy? Why are people protesting? How has the war affected the world?