The Canadian Press by way of APPresident Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Ukraine would proceed to struggle for its freedom “whereas its requires peace will not be heard,” in a defiant handle to the nation on its independence day.
“We’d like a simply peace, a peace the place our future shall be determined solely by us,” he mentioned, including that Ukraine was “not a sufferer, it’s a fighter”.
He continued: “Ukraine has not but received, nevertheless it has definitely not misplaced.”
Zelensky’s remarks got here after Moscow mentioned Ukraine had attacked Russian energy and vitality services in a single day, blaming drone assaults for a fireplace at a nuclear energy plant in its western Kursk area.
The Ukraine authorities’s Centre for Countering Disinformation mentioned it had been reported that the taking pictures down of a drone allegedly precipitated the fireplace.
The centre blamed Russia for “spreading manipulations” and mentioned Russia accusing Ukraine of “allegedly finishing up focused strikes” on the facility plant “are typical strategies” of Russian propaganda.
There have been no accidents and the fireplace was rapidly extinguished, the plant’s press service mentioned on messaging app Telegram. It mentioned the assault had broken a transformer, however radiation ranges have been throughout the regular vary.
The United Nations’ Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA) mentioned it was conscious of experiences concerning the fireplace, however couldn’t independently verify them. Its director basic mentioned “each nuclear facility should be protected always”.
The IAEA has repeatedly called on both Russia and Ukraine to point out most restraint round nuclear services within the warfare.
Additionally on Sunday, Russia and Ukraine each confirmed a prisoner swap had taken place, with 146 troopers on all sides being exchanged.
Russia’s defence ministry additionally mentioned eight individuals from Russia’s Kursk region, which was partially occupied by Ukraine for several months, had been handed over and would return residence.
Zelensky mentioned these returned by Russia included troopers, border guards and civilians, most of whom have been in captivity since 2022.
He additionally mentioned journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, who was “kidnapped within the Kyiv area” initially of the warfare, was coming residence.
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 at St Sophia’s Cathedral as he addressed the gang:
“I need to say one thing quite simple and essential: Canada will all the time stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.”
He mentioned drones, ammunition and armoured automobiles, a part of a $2bn Canadian {dollars} (£1bn) navy bundle, can be delivered to Ukraine as early as September, Ukrainian media reported. The deliveries would make up greater than half of a help bundle he introduced in July.
Additionally current was US envoy Keith Kellogg – whom Ukrainian media reported was awarded the Order of Benefit, first diploma by Zelensky in the course of the ceremony.
After Zelensky thanked him and US President Donald Trump for his or her help, Kellogg could possibly be heard telling Zelensky: “We will make this work”.
The Ukrainian president revealed a letter he acquired from Trump on X, which congratulated Ukraine on 34 years of independence and mentioned “now could be the second to convey an finish to the mindless killing”.
Zelensky thanked the US for “standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine”.
“We imagine that by working collectively, we are able to put an finish to this warfare and obtain actual peace for Ukraine,” he added.
EPAAndriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of employees, wrote on Telegram early on Sunday: “On this special occasion – Ukraine’s Independence Day – it’s particularly essential for us to really feel the help of our associates. And Canada has all the time stood by us.”
In the meantime, Zelensky shared a letter from King Charles sending the individuals of Ukraine his “warmest and most honest needs”.
“I maintain feeling the best and deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian individuals,” the King writes. “I stay hopeful that our international locations will have the ability to additional work carefully collectively to realize a simply and lasting peace.”
Zelensky mentioned the King’s “type phrases are a real inspiration for our individuals in the course of the tough time of warfare”.
The UK authorities additionally mentioned Ukrainian flags would seem above Downing Avenue in recognition of the anniversary.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British navy consultants will proceed to coach Ukrainian troopers till a minimum of the top 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 might contribute about 7 billion kroner (£514m; $693m) of air defence programs to Ukraine.
“Along with Germany, we are actually guaranteeing that Ukraine receives highly effective air defence programs,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer mentioned in an announcement.
The 2 nations are funding two Patriot programs, together with missiles, with Norway additionally serving to procure air defence radar.
Additionally on Sunday, Ukraine and Sweden introduced that they had agreed to joint defence manufacturing, with Sweden’s defence minister saying it might “increase 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 shall be exported to Ukraine.”
ReutersOn Saturday, Russia mentioned its forces in jap Ukraine had seized two villages within the Donetsk area.
Russian forces have been advancing very slowly, and at nice price, 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. Nonetheless, 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 mentioned 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 may be, it may be a vital choice, 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 mentioned on Friday.
Zelensky has repeatedly known as for an unconditional ceasefire and his European allies have additionally insisted on a halt in preventing.
He has accused Russia of “doing every part it could possibly” to stop a gathering with Putin to attempt to finish the warfare.
Russia’s Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned Putin was prepared to satisfy Ukraine’s chief “when the agenda is prepared for a summit, and this agenda will not be prepared in any respect”, accusing Zelensky of claiming “no to every part”.
