English Section
Follow us on Google

Follow us on Google to get our latest news at the top of your search results

Ukraine marks Independence Day as allies pledge support

24.08.2026 19:20
Ukraine marked the 35th anniversary of its independence on Monday with a gathering of allied leaders in Kyiv, as European officials pledged further military and financial support against Russia's invasion.
Audio
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech marking the countrys 35th Independence Day, joined by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, outside St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech marking the country's 35th Independence Day, joined by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, outside St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS/Pool via REUTERS

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Europe was preparing a new EUR 6 billion credit tranche for Ukraine, and that talks had also covered supplying and purchasing interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems.

Wearing a traditional embroidered Ukrainian shirt, Zelensky warned that Russia would not halt its aggression even if his country ceded more territory in the east, and thanked visiting leaders for travelling to Kyiv to show their backing.

"Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it is not ready to simply surrender," he stressed.

Zelensky called on allies to give Kyiv "everything" needed to end the war, adding: "We are not asking you to fight for us."

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in his first foreign trip since taking office last month, confirmed the UK would share technology for producing Storm Shadow cruise missiles, after Zelensky asked for access so Ukraine could develop the capability itself.

"I'm pleased to confirm today that I have approved that request, he said.

The UK would also share classified technology to let Ukraine begin producing European SCALP long-range cruise missiles, Burnham announced.

The PM added that Britain would keep backing Kyiv "despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country" — a reference to a recent warning from the Russian embassy in London.

European Council President António Costa said the EU would keep up pressure until "Russia ends the killing" and shows genuine interest in peace, emphasizing that Brussels "cannot be neutral when international law is being violated."

Any deal with Moscow, he stressed, must guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty, borders and long-term security, with Kyiv alone deciding what "a just and lasting peace" looks like.

Costa was awarded Ukraine's Order of Europe during the visit.

A "coalition of the willing" meeting of countries backing Ukraine also took place on Monday.

Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, standing in for Prime Minister Donald Tusk, joined remotely, saying "democratic Europe stands firmly behind an independent Ukraine."

The video conference was co-chaired by Burnham in Kyiv, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joining online.

As part of the celebrations, a squadron of aerial and naval drones was put on display over Kyiv and the Dnipro river, alongside armed ground vehicles rolling along one of the city's main avenues.

In a sombre moment, Zelensky presented state awards to the families of fallen soldiers, honouring those who died defending Ukraine.

On Saturday, he noted that Ukraine's war effort faced a USD 27 billion funding gap this year, and warned Russia could escalate by mobilising some 300,000 additional troops after its parliamentary elections in September.

(ał)

Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Piotr Urbaniak.