In Kyiv, a poignant image of a young man named Maroschenko, who shares the author’s birthday, adorns a wall. Despite being born years apart, Maroschenko has tragically passed away, his face now a part of the memorial wall alongside numerous other Ukrainian heroes who sacrificed their lives to push back against Putin’s brutal invasion.
The author was struck by the city’s beauty under the autumn sunlight, observing people defiantly going about their daily lives in cafes and on their way home, despite the looming threat from Russia.
Accompanying the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on her inaugural international trip, the author visited Kyiv. Cooper’s visit coincided with a critical juncture as Russia escalated its aggression towards Ukraine, masking its intentions behind a façade of peace talks.
Meanwhile, tensions in Gaza have reached a critical point, with Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar jeopardizing the chances of restarting peace negotiations.
During their visit, Cooper and President Zelensky exchanged warm words at the presidential office, emphasizing the UK’s unwavering support. The duo also inspected the Council of Ministers building, marred by a Russian attack that caused significant damage. Additionally, they met families displaced from their homes near the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine.
Reflecting on these encounters, Cooper asserted her conviction that Russia’s campaign to demoralize Ukrainians will not succeed. The author noted the profound impact these meetings had on Cooper during their return journey.
Lizzy Buchan, the Mirror’s Political Editor, has been covering Westminster since 2017, focusing on various areas such as work, trade unions, child poverty, defense, and foreign policy.
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