Analysts all over Europe and North America have been very carefully following the absence of a desired solution pertaining to sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The absence of understanding between Russia and Ukraine has gained momentum after the world witnessed the nonexistence of consensus regarding peace in Ukraine.
In this context one has to refer to the result of the General Assembly vote on the draft resolution "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine" adopted during the emergency special session held on February 24, 2026. This day was four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The UN marked the day with a high-level debate and renewed calls to end the war. This effort also included the UN General Assembly passing a Resolution reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The vote, however, was not up to the mark. It was as follows-- in favour-107, against-12, abstention-51. This indicated that there is still no unanimity on the subject of Ukraine.
There are now fears that international bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for, among others, Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes, could be rendered increasingly toothless in their ability to ever prosecute major figures who ordered such crimes because many members of the United Nations as evidenced in the UNGA vote appear to be less interested in upholding international justice for war crimes.
This is particularly disappointing given the fact that Ukraine has survived the harshest winter in a decade. Analyst Philippe Leclerc has in this context underlined that millions of displaced Ukrainians are confronting a growing crisis marked by hardship and ongoing attacks as peace prospects remain distant.
Inside Ukraine, repeated attacks on housing, energy systems and essential services throughout the winter has left millions without heating or electricity for prolonged periods. While temperatures are slowly rising, the damage remains. An estimated 10.8 million people inside the country need humanitarian assistance in 2026, and 3.7 million are internally displaced.
At the same time, 5.9 million Ukrainians remain refugees abroad. Across Europe, host countries have provided protection and opportunities at an unprecedented scale, giving refugees access to education, healthcare and employment. This has helped millions regain stability and contribute to host communities.
Four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, people across Ukraine remember their dead from a war which shows no sign of ending. As the conflict enters a fifth year, the Ukrainian military continues to resist being overrun by Russian forces, but military losses are mounting on both sides and Ukraine's population faces near-daily aerial attacks.
Russia now controls nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine but the Ukrainian military has prevented it from capturing the entirety of the eastern Donbas region.
As a token of remembrance of the dead, the Ukraine Administration on February 24 observed in Kiev's Maidan square the commemoration of the dead since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. Banners and heads were lowered as people stood in silent contemplation. Surrounded by the glowing 11th century mosaics of the Cathedral of St Sophia, in the heart of the capital, President Zelensky and his wife Olena led a prayer service. The Ukrainian President was accompanied by some of his most ardent European supporters, including Finland's Alexander Stubb, Sweden's Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.
Acknowledging the staggering loss of life Ukraine has endured, Zelensky said: "We have every right to say: we have defended our independence. We have not lost our statehood. Ukraine exists not just on the map."
Analyst Paul Adams has observed correctly that the war has touched everyone in Ukraine, in so many different ways, from losses on the battlefield, to the scattering of families, and the search for warmth and light in the midst of Russia's winter bombardments.
People's physical health has deteriorated in such conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that more than two-thirds of the population has reported a worsening of their health since the start of the invasion. However, the harm caused by these attacks is far from just physical. Mental health professionals in the country, as well as the WHO, have warned of a mental health crisis in Ukraine, with possibly up to 10 million people suffering with mental health problems.
After February 24, 2022 many thought that Zelensky's days were numbered and that Ukraine would fall. Instead, four years on, Ukraine continues to hold its own against Russian troops across the east of the country, at an ever-increasing cost of manpower and resources for Moscow.
As the war continues, more is needed to support refugees from a displacement crisis with no clear end. Alongside Temporary Protection, States should explore options for alternative arrangements for longer stay. These can bring stability for the most vulnerable in particular, for whom return may not be immediately possible even after the war.
Inside Ukraine, communities continue to repair homes, restore services and rebuild livelihoods, with the support of UNHCR and NGO partners. But after four years of war, resilience has limits. Sustained humanitarian assistance remains essential, alongside scaled-up recovery and reconstruction support to prevent further displacement and enable safe conditions for return.
When conditions allow, gradual and voluntary returns will be critical for Ukraine's recovery. UNHCR is working with the government and partners to restore people's documents, support rehabilitation of social infrastructure and repair war-damaged homes. UNHCR also works with partners to analyse refugees' intentions, forecast return movements and support Ukraine's recovery planning.
Since the start of the full-scale war, UNHCR and partners have supported 10 million people with emergency aid, protection services and psychosocial support. In 2026, UNHCR plans to assist a further 2 million people inside the country, subject to sufficient funding. Across the region, UNHCR and partners are supporting 1.7 million refugees and the States hosting them, with a focus on inclusion and self-reliance.
As winter fades, the humanitarian crisis does not. There is a need for supporting the people of Ukraine with humanitarian relief and recovery inside the country, and with safety and self-reliance abroad.
Svitlana Taran, Policy Analyst has observed that achieving greater political certainty about Ukraine's European future has also become crucial, particularly in the context of ongoing peace negotiations in which accelerating and securing Ukraine's EU membership is increasingly discussed as part of a broader US-EU plan to end the war.
A clear accession perspective is now considered essential to sustain Ukraine's reform momentum, investor confidence and reconstruction efforts. For Kyiv, EU membership has long been framed as a condition for durable peace and a guarantee of sovereignty and democratic agency. Accession, it is believed, would also significantly curtail Russia's ability to interfere politically or undermine the legitimacy of Ukraine's institutions.
Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.
muhammadzamir0@gmail.com