Public Broadcasting company of UkraineOn Ukraine’s Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that the nation would continue its struggle for security and peace.
In his address, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine seeks a “just peace” — one where Ukrainians alone decide their own destiny. He declared that the country would resist Russia’s aggression “as long as calls for peace remain unheard.”
“Ukraine has not yet achieved victory, but it has certainly not been defeated,” he said.
His remarks followed Moscow’s claims that Ukrainian drones had struck Russian energy infrastructure overnight, sparking a fire at a nuclear power facility in the Kursk region. The blaze was quickly controlled, no casualties were reported, and officials confirmed that radiation levels remained normal despite damage to a transformer.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acknowledged the incident and reiterated that nuclear plants must be safeguarded at all times. The agency has consistently urged both sides to exercise maximum caution around nuclear facilities during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Independence Day celebrations took place in Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s 1991 break from the Soviet Union. Among the guests was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who joined Zelensky on stage and affirmed: “Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.”
US envoy Keith Kellogg also attended the ceremony. Ukrainian media reported that Zelensky presented him with the nation’s highest honor, the Order of Merit, First Class. In his remarks, Zelensky expressed gratitude to both Kellogg and former US President Donald Trump for their support. In response, Kellogg assured him: “We’re going to make this work.”
EPAAndriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, wrote on Telegram early on Sunday: “On this special day – Ukraine’s Independence Day – it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by us.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky shared a letter from King Charles sending the people of Ukraine his “warmest and most sincere wishes”.
“I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people,” the King writes. “I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
Zelensky said the King’s “kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war”.
The UK government also said Ukrainian flags would appear above Downing Street in recognition of the anniversary.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British military experts will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers until at least the end of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex – the codename given to the UK Armed Forces’ training programme for Ukrainian recruits.
Norway announced on Sunday that it would contribute about 7 billion kroner (£514m; $693m) of air defence systems to Ukraine.
“Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defence systems,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.
The two nations are funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.
Also on Sunday, Ukraine and Sweden announced they had agreed to joint defence production, with Sweden’s defence minister saying it would “boost Swedish rearmament and meet the needs of Ukraine’s armed forces”.
Pål Jonson wrote on X: “Ukraine will share and provide technology for its factories in Sweden and defence materiel co-produced in Sweden will be exported to Ukraine.”
ReutersOn Saturday, Russia said its forces in eastern Ukraine had seized two villages in the Donetsk region.
Russian forces have been advancing very slowly, and at great cost, in eastern Ukraine and now control about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
A full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russia in February 2022.
There has been intense diplomacy over the war this month, with US President Donald Trump meeting his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.
The summit was billed as a vital step towards peace in Ukraine. However, despite both leaders claiming the talks were a success, Trump has since shown growing frustration publicly over the lack of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
The US president has said he is considering either hitting Russia with further economic sanctions or walking away from peace talks.
“I’m going to make a decision as to what we do and it’s going to be, it’s going to be a very important decision, and that’s whether or not it’s massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say it’s your fight,” Trump said on Friday.
Zelensky has repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire and his European allies have also insisted on a halt in fighting.
He has accused Russia of “doing everything it can” to prevent a meeting with Putin to try to end the war.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Putin was ready to meet Ukraine’s leader “when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all”, accusing Zelensky of saying “no to everything”.
