<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338871</docID> <postdate>2025-02-23 07:15:24</postdate> <headline>Crowds gather as Ukraine invasion anniversary nears</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338872" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250222183117049802-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Ukraine's ambassador (centre) has urged Australia to unite with other countries to maintain support. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Holly Hales</strong></span></p> <p><strong>As Russia's invasion of Ukraine nears its third anniversary and crowds gather to commemorate the conflict, the country's ambassador to Australia says he is "optimistic".</strong></p> <p>Vasyl Myroshnychenko joined 150 people outside the Russian embassy in Canberra on Saturday, one in a string of gatherings planned across the country ahead of the war's anniversary date on February 24.</p> <p>Mr Myroshnychenko said he was hopeful for the conflict's eventual resolution.</p> <p>"I feel optimistic. I'm hoping, I'm convinced history is on our side. It's clear who's evil and we are fighting for our survival," he told AAP.</p> <p>"We are David fighting Goliath and it's pretty clear for me that's what gives me strength, because I believe Australians understand it."</p> <p>The crowds were joined by Independent Senator David Pocock as some waved Ukraine and Australian flags while others held signs painted with 'stop war' slogans.</p> <p>Australia has sharply differed from the US on how peace should be achieved in Ukraine after Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on its leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.</p> <p>Mr Trump trashed the Ukrainian president as a "dictator without elections" and falsely claimed Kyiv had "started" the Russian war before backtracking on his comments.</p> <p>The US president incorrectly stated Mr Zelenskiy's approval rating was down to four per cent and implied Ukraine had stolen billions of dollars from his country.</p> <p>Mr Myroshnychenko said Australia must band together with countries elsewhere to ensure support for Ukraine in its conflict.</p> <p>"This is what we are now working on now, you know we want peace more than anybody else," he said.</p> <p>"What we want to avoid, we want to avoid a brief break that will enable Russia to resupply, regroup and launch another attack.</p> <p>"For us, security guarantees are a must, and we must figure out a way how we get those security guarantees."</p> <p>In a strong rebuke this week, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australia needed to back Ukraine.</p> <p>"The thought that President Zelenskiy or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong," he told 2GB Sydney.</p> <p>"But Australia should stand strong and proud with the people of Ukraine. It's a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation.</p> <p>"Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator and we shouldn't be giving him an inch."</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed the nation's support.</p> <p>"Australia stands with Ukraine in their struggle, which is a struggle not just for their own national sovereignty, but it's the struggle to stand up for the international rule of law," he told reporters in Whyalla on Thursday.</p> <p>Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022.</p> <p>To mark the anniversary, a charity concert was held in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday night while crowds gathered in a separate demonstration at Parliament Lawns in Hobart.</p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns will attend a service St Mary's Cathedral Square on Monday evening.</p> <p>Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian Community Centre in Adelaide's Hindmarsh will hold a service and crowds will again gather at the Russian Embassy in Canberra.</p> </body>