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TRANSCRIPT:
As Ukraine's war with Russia enters its fifth year, their international allies are looking to use every tool at their disposal to bring about an end to the worst European conflict since World War Two.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies says the combined Russian and Ukrainian deaths and injured may be as high as 1.8 million and could reach two million total casualties by this autumn.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union [[E-U]] is close to finalising its 20th sanctions package against Russia, including $1.5 billion ((920 million euros)) for winter energy and support for Kyiv's path toward E-U membership.
She says the E-U will also press ahead with a $150 billion ((90 billion euro)) loan designed to bolster Ukraine's economy and defence capacity.
"We call it the steel porcupine loan because it should give Ukraine the strength of a steel porcupine indigestible for potential invaders. Let me be crystal clear, and the President of the Council also said it. The loan was agreed by 27 heads of state and government in the European Council. They have given their word. This word cannot be broken. So we will deliver on the loan, one way or the other."
The United Nations General Assembly has also overwhelmingly backed a motion supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, with 107 countries voting in favour and just 12 against.
A breakdown of voting on the resolution, which is not legally binding but carries political weight, shows that Russia, Belarus while China and the United States abstained.
The U-N vote was seen as a test of solidarity with Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
U-N Under-Secretary-General for political and peacebuilding affairs, Rosemary Dicarlo, says the war is a stain on their collective conscience and must be brought to an end.
"Four years after the Russian Federation launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine. The war remains a stain on our collective conscience. The human toll is catastrophic. Despite unprecedented diplomatic efforts, last year was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since 2022. More than 15,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the invasion and more than 41,000 injured."
The United States have also escalated their rhetoric on bringing about a ceasefire while also issuing some fresh sanctions.
The U-S Treasury Department website says the government has issued cyber-related sanctions against four people and three entities, including some based in Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
Bloomberg News has cited European and NATO officials in reporting that the U-S wants Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement before Independence Day celebrations on July 4th.
But when asked, Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy has said it was news to him.
"So you said July 4th, the United States or President Trump wants to end the war. I can only support this if the President of the United States of America said so. This is new information for me, although information is changing very quickly now."
Meanwhile, around Europe, pro-Ukraine rallies and demonstrations have been held to mark the war anniversary with Paris lighting up the Eiffel Tower and Berlin lighting up the Brandenburg Gate in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
In Australia, communities have also gathered in solidarity and remembrance, hundreds assembling on the steps of South Australia's state parliament, and in Sydney thousands gathering at St Mary's Cathedral.
Allan has told SBS Russian it has taken an emotional toll, watching the war unfold from afar, separated from family still living under attack.
"My wife's sister is still in Odessa, in the centre of the city. We're on the phone every night and we know precisely what's happening and when. Well ahead of the news and it's a tragedy, just a tragedy."
