Reuters reports that Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August 2025 was marked by a series of political, military, and diplomatic developments underscoring the ongoing war with Russia.
The day began with reports from Russia’s defense ministry claiming its troops had captured villages in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. At the same time, Moscow accused Kyiv of a massive drone attack that caused a fire and forced a reactor reduction at the Kursk nuclear power plant. Ukraine did not immediately comment, but has repeatedly said its cross-border strikes are retaliation for Russian bombardments.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed crowds in Independence Square, vowing to «push Russia to peace» and insisting a meeting with Vladimir Putin was «the most effective way forward.» U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg attended the ceremony and was awarded the Order of Merit, First Class.
Zelensky also shared letters of support from King Charles III, Pope Leo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The monarch praised Ukrainians’ «unbreakable courage,» while Trump urged a negotiated settlement to end the «senseless killing.» Xi’s letter, notably, avoided any mention of the war.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine confirmed a prisoner exchange mediated by the UAE, with 146 captives returned on each side. Images showed emotional reunions, including long-detained Ukrainian soldiers and a journalist captured in 2022.
International reactions followed: Germany’s finance minister Lars Klingbeil arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, pledging continued support and warning Moscow not to expect Berlin’s resolve to weaken. Finland’s president Alexander Stubb said relations between Russia and Europe could only be rebuilt after a «just peace.»
Elsewhere, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney joined Zelensky in Kyiv, saying he would not rule out Canadian troops as part of future security guarantees. In London, UK government buildings flew the Ukrainian flag in solidarity.
The military front saw new announcements as well: Ukraine unveiled its domestically built «Flamingo» cruise missile, capable of striking targets up to 3,000 km away.
In Washington, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Donald Trump’s «energetic diplomacy» would bring the war to a close, though Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed progress, calling Zelensky «illegitimate.»
As Ukraine celebrated 34 years of independence from the Soviet Union, Zelensky summed up the day’s message:
«The end of this war must guarantee lasting peace for Ukraine, so that our children never inherit the threat of war again.»
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that at a joint press conference, Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev said Tashkent, Ashgabat and Baku had placed special emphasis on developing regional transit corridors.
