Executive Summary
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President Donald Trump joined other world leaders in extending messages of support to Ukraine on Sunday as the nation marked its 34th Independence Day. The show of international solidarity comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Ukraine “will not lose” the ongoing conflict, even as diplomatic efforts for peace remain stalled and hostilities, including drone attacks, continue between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
International Support for Ukraine
In a letter shared by President Zelensky on X, President Trump praised Ukraine’s courage and expressed the United States’ belief in its future as an independent state. Trump emphasized the “unbreakable spirit” of the Ukrainian people and stated that the U.S. “respects your fight, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation.”
The letter also called for an end to the “senseless killing,” with Donald Trump writing that the United States “supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity.”
President Zelensky publicly thanked Trump for his message. He delivered his own address to Ukrainians, asserting that the country would be celebrating its Independence Day for centuries to come. Zelensky stated, “Ukraine is stronger and has self-respect. And Ukraine does not wait for gestures of goodwill, but it has its own will to put into life what is necessary for us.”
Other global figures, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Britain’s King Charles, and Pope Leo XIV, also conveyed messages of support for Ukraine’s Independence Day. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made his first official visit to Ukraine for the occasion, reiterating his country’s “unwavering” support for Kyiv.
Keith Kellogg, who served as the Trump administration’s Russia-Ukraine envoy, was also present at Kyiv’s Independence Day ceremony on Sunday.
Ongoing Conflict and Diplomatic Efforts
The messages of solidarity arrived amidst continued military exchanges between Ukraine and Russia. Russian officials reported on Sunday that a fire erupted after a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, causing damage to a transformer. Russian authorities stated that background radiation levels at the site remained unchanged, and the fire was subsequently extinguished. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on these claims.
The ongoing fighting underscores the stalled momentum around peace talks. Donald Trump’s message follows his recent diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which concluded without a concrete deal. Trump had previously extended a deadline for potential consequences against Moscow, urging a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
On the eve of Independence Day, Russia launched 72 drones and a ballistic missile towards Ukraine, with the majority reportedly intercepted by Ukrainian Air Force defenses. Russia’s Defense Ministry also claimed to have destroyed 95 Ukrainian UAVs overnight across various territories.
Ukraine’s Resolve
Reflecting on the nation’s steadfastness, President Zelensky declared that while Ukraine “has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose.” He emphasized that Ukraine has secured its independence and is a “fighter” rather than a victim. Zelensky concluded by stating, “Ukraine does not beg; it offers. Alliance and partnership.”
