INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed Friday to do everything to defeat Russia this year, as the first highly sought Leopard battle tanks
arrived in Ukraine on the anniversary of Europe's largest conflict since World War II.The German-made Leopard tanks from Warsaw rolled in to
help Ukraine repel Russian troops as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited Kyiv to send a "clear and measurable signal of further
support."Poland will send more tanks soon, Morawiecki said, also offering to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F16 jets, as Western allies
underlined their unwavering support.The United States ramped up sanctions on Moscow, this time targeting the country's banks, military
industry and semiconductor access, while the Group of Seven industrialized nations threatened embargo busters with "severe costs.Russia
remained defiant, with former president Dmitry Medvedev insisting that his country is ready to push its offensive "to the borders of
Poland."Tensions were also building on Ukraine's border with Moldova
Moscow, claiming Kyiv is plotting to invade the breakaway region of Transnistria, has promised to respond
Moldova denied any threat from Ukraine.Zelensky said Ukraine will prevail if the West keeps to its pledges on weaponry and financial
day, Russian President Vladimir Putin stunned the world by sending troops across the border, a move seen as punishment for Kyiv's pivot to
the West.The war has devastated swathes of Ukraine, displaced millions, turned Russia into a pariah in the West and, according to Western
sources, caused more than 150,000 casualties on each side.Demonstrators protesting against Moscow's aggression marched in cities across
for a minute from Tallinn to London while key buildings across Europe were draped or lit up in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian
flag.A year ago, Russian troops sought to rapidly install a pro-Moscow regime in Ukraine but failed to conquer Kyiv and subsequently
suffered defeats in northeastern and southern Ukraine.Since October, Russia has pummelled Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing power
shortages for millions over winter.In a recent Ukrainian poll, nearly one in five said they had lost a loved one in the war.Despite the
daily trials, many Ukrainians refuse to be cowed.In Bucha, where Russia has been accused of widespread atrocities, 64-year-old Galyna
Gamulets recalled coming under fire from Russian troops for "more than two weeks."She voiced pride in her nation and said that "we will
succeed" in repelling the invaders.New sanctionsThe West, which has imposed increasingly stringent sanctions on Russia and boosted
humanitarian aid and arms supplies for Ukraine, unveiled more help on Friday.The United States announced sweeping sanctions not only aimed
at Russia but also hitting "over 200 individuals and entities" across Europe, Asia and the Middle East that are supporting Moscow's
war.After a video call, G7 allies warned that "third countries or other international actors who seek to evade or undermine our measures"
Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv on a historic visit and pledged new arms deliveries.Along with contributions from Sweden and Portugal, Germany
said it has managed to cobble together a battalion of modern Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine.On Thursday, the United Nations voted
overwhelmingly to demand Russia "immediately" and "unconditionally" withdraw its troops from Ukraine.But key players China and India
abstained, as fears rose in the West that Beijing was considering arming Russia.China has sought to position itself as a neutral party while
soon as possible and said all territorial sovereignty should be respected.Zelensky said he was planning to meet China's President Xi Jinping
after Beijing's call for peace talks, noting that Beijing's paper appeared to show "there is respect for our territorial integrity, security
issues."Moscow said it "highly values" China's contribution but insisted that any conflict settlement must recognize Russia's control over
four Ukrainian regions it annexed.Western allies were cautious in their reception of China's plan, with German President Frank-Walter
Steinmeier saying it was "still doubtful" if Beijing sincerely wanted to play a constructive role in seeking peace.NATO chief Jens
Stoltenberg said Beijing simply "doesn't have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of
Nobody thought that Ukraine would hold," said a soldier who goes by the call sign "Cook" in the eastern region of Donetsk
"I know that miracles happen,"Despite military setbacks and sanctions, Putin, 70, has refused to back down, accusing the West of supporting
neo-Nazi forces and claiming Russia's survival was at stake."We are protecting people's lives, our native home," Putin said in his state of
the nation address on Tuesday
"And the goal of the West is endless power."Putin's assault on Ukraine and mobilization of reservists have sparked what might be Russia's
Putin despite economic trouble and multiplying casualties."The country is really changing for the better," said Lyubov Yudina, a 48-year-old
security guard in Moscow.But Ruslan Melnikov, a 28-year-old teacher, was dejected
"I don't see any future now."
