The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and King Charles have expressed support for Ukraine as it marks two years since the Russian invasion.
It comes as crowds gathered across the UK to show their backing for the embattled country.
Sunak vowed to continue supporting Kyiv until its forces prevailed, while the monarch praised Ukraine’s valour in facing down the aggression of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
“When Putin launched his illegal invasion two years ago, the free world was united in its response,” Sunak said. “We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination.
“I was in Kyiv just a few weeks ago and I met wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Each harrowing story was a reminder of Ukraine’s courage in the face of terrible suffering.
“It was a reminder of the price they are paying not only to defend their country against a completely unjustified invasion, but also to defend the very principles of freedom, sovereignty and the rule of law on which we all depend.”
The king said: “The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third tragic year.
“Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.
“Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.
“I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need. My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.”
In Scotland, political and religious leaders attended a service at Edinburgh Castle to mark the anniversary. The first minister, Humza Yousaf, gave a reading and laid a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial alongside Andrii Kuslii, of the consulate of Ukraine.
In London, commemorations began with an interfaith prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Mayfair. Speaking before the service, bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the leading Ukrainian Catholic bishop in the UK, said his compatriots are “resolved to win the war” and had experienced a “two-year unending nightmare”.
The Ukrainian Catholic church said the “vital” events it had helped organise on Saturday would “honour the resilience of Ukraine” and show unwavering support for its fight against Russia.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said the UK would always support Ukraine “no matter who is in power in this country” and added that Putin’s “cowardice and barbarity” would not prevail.
“The resistance of the Ukrainian people has inspired and humbled the world. The UK and our allies will stand in solidarity with them until their day of victory. We will not waver. We will not abandon them. We will not be divided in the face of tyranny or oppression.
“We look together to the day when Ukraine secures justice and liberty in their rightful homeland, when Ukrainians can return home and rebuild their great country, and live peacefully, freely and proudly.”
