Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a defiant statement on Sunday, vowing Ukraine would keep resisting Russia’s invasion as the nation celebrated its Independence Day.
A Defiant Independence Day Statement
Addressing Kyiv, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would struggle until the nation’s cries for peace were listened to.
His remarks were made just hours after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking energy infrastructure with drone strikes in the western Kursk region, including a nuclear power plant. There was reported fire at the facility, although Russian authorities reported that there were no casualties and radiation levels were normal. Ukraine brushed off Moscow’s accusations as propaganda.
International Support on Display
Independence Day ceremonies in Kyiv were characterized by strong demonstrations of global support. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also attended a wreath-laying ceremony with Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska. Carney vowed to provide further military support in the form of drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles as part of a $2bn Canadian package.
U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg also attended and was awarded the Order of Merit by Zelensky. “We’re going to make this work,” Kellogg told the Ukrainian president after thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for his support.
Britain stated it will continue its military training program for recruits from Ukraine through at least 2026, and Norway and Germany revealed joint financing of two Patriot air defence systems. Sweden and Ukraine also presented a new defence industry agreement in the works to co-develop equipment for the military.
Prisoner Swap and Symbolic Gestures
Both Kyiv and Moscow established a prisoner swap on Sunday, with 146 soldiers being released to each side. Among the released was Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, who had been detained since 2022.
In a symbolic move, servicemen hoisted Ukraine’s national flag in downtown Kyiv while thousands rallied in Independence Square to pay tribute to dead soldiers. King Charles of the United Kingdom also wrote a letter expressing solidarity, commending the “unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people.”
War and Diplomacy Continue
Even as the celebrations would be held, the war continues. Russia said that it had seized two villages in eastern Donetsk, one of its gradual and expensive gains that have captured about 20% of Ukraine’s land since the invasion started in February 2022.
Diplomatic relations are still strained. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down in Alaska for peace negotiations. Although each side reported the meeting as a step forward, no breakthrough was forthcoming. Trump has since threatened fresh sanctions on Russia if talks broke down.
For Zelensky, there could be no such ambiguity. Ukraine will carry on until the terms of its own peace are secured.
