Zelensky vows to proceed combating as Ukraine marks independence day

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Ukraine would proceed to struggle for its freedom in an deal with to the nation on its independence day.

“We want a simply peace, a peace the place our future will probably be determined solely by us,” he stated, including that Ukraine would struggle again in opposition to Russia “whereas its requires peace usually are not heard”.

He continued: “Ukraine has not but received, however it has definitely not misplaced.”

Zelensky’s remarks got here after Moscow stated Ukraine had attacked Russian energy and power services in a single day, blaming drone assaults for a hearth at a nuclear energy plant in its western Kursk area.

There have been no accidents and the fireplace was shortly extinguished, the plant’s press service stated on messaging app Telegram. It stated the assault had broken a transformer, however radiation ranges have been throughout the regular vary.

The United Nations’ Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) stated it was conscious of studies concerning the fireplace, whereas its director basic added that “each nuclear facility have to be protected always”.

The IAEA has repeatedly referred to as on each Russia and Ukraine to point out most restraint round nuclear services within the warfare.

Independence Day celebrations have been held in Kyiv, because the nation marked its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney took half within the celebrations, and stood beside Zelensky as he addressed the group:

“I wish to say one thing quite simple and vital: Canada will at all times stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.”

Additionally current was US envoy Keith Kellogg – whom Ukrainian media reported was awarded the Order of Benefit, first diploma by Zelensky through the ceremony.

After Zelensky thanked him and US President Donald Trump for his or her help, Kellogg might be heard telling Zelensky: “We will make this work”.

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of workers, wrote on Telegram early on Sunday: “On this big day – Ukraine’s Independence Day – it’s particularly vital for us to really feel the help of our buddies. And Canada has at all times stood by us.”

In the meantime, Zelensky shared a letter from King Charles sending the folks of Ukraine his “warmest and most honest needs”.

“I maintain feeling the best and deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian folks,” the King writes. “I stay hopeful that our nations will have the ability to additional work carefully collectively to realize a simply and lasting peace.”

Zelensky stated the King’s “form phrases are a real inspiration for our folks through the tough time of warfare”.

The UK authorities additionally stated Ukrainian flags would seem above Downing Avenue in recognition of the anniversary.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British army specialists will proceed to coach Ukrainian troopers till at the least the tip of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex – the codename given to the UK Armed Forces’ coaching programme for Ukrainian recruits.

Norway introduced on Sunday that it could contribute about 7 billion kroner (£514m; $693m) of air defence techniques to Ukraine.

“Along with Germany, we are actually guaranteeing that Ukraine receives highly effective air defence techniques,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer stated in a press release.

The 2 nations are funding two Patriot techniques, together with missiles, with Norway additionally serving to procure air defence radar.

Additionally on Sunday, Ukraine and Sweden introduced they’d agreed to joint defence manufacturing, with Sweden’s defence minister saying it could “enhance Swedish rearmament and meet the wants of Ukraine’s armed forces”.

Pål Jonson wrote on X: “Ukraine will share and supply expertise for its factories in Sweden and defence materiel co-produced in Sweden will probably be exported to Ukraine.”

On Saturday, Russia stated its forces in jap Ukraine had seized two villages within the Donetsk area.

Russian forces have been advancing very slowly, and at nice value, in jap Ukraine and now management about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

A full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russia in February 2022.

There was intense diplomacy over the warfare this month, with US President Donald Trump assembly his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.

The summit was billed as an important step in the direction of peace in Ukraine. Nevertheless, regardless of each leaders claiming the talks have been successful, Trump has since proven rising frustration publicly over the dearth of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

The US president has stated he’s contemplating both hitting Russia with additional financial sanctions or strolling away from peace talks.

“I’ll decide as to what we do and it’ll be, it’ll be a vital determination, and that is whether or not or not it is large sanctions or large tariffs or each, or we do nothing and say it is your struggle,” Trump stated on Friday.

Zelensky has repeatedly referred to as for an unconditional ceasefire and his European allies have additionally insisted on a halt in combating.

He has accused Russia of “doing all the pieces it could” to stop a gathering with Putin to attempt to finish the warfare.

Russia’s International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Putin was prepared to satisfy Ukraine’s chief “when the agenda is prepared for a summit, and this agenda isn’t prepared in any respect”, accusing Zelensky of claiming “no to all the pieces”.