Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Zelenskyy made the remarks on Monday during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt as he thanked foreign leaders who travelled to Kyiv to demonstrate their support for the country as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
“Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it is not ready to simply surrender,” Zelenskyy said in a video address posted on Telegram.
He also vowed to find a solution to what he described as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “ballistic terror”, referring to continued Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European Council President Antonio Costa were among the foreign dignitaries attending the Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv.
Burnham was making his first visit to the Ukrainian capital as prime minister and was expected to announce additional British support to help Ukraine increase its domestic production of long-range missiles.
He was also scheduled to co-chair a virtual meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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The coalition comprises countries supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing war and seeking ways to strengthen its military and diplomatic position.
The leaders were expected to discuss Ukraine’s request for additional air defense systems to help protect its cities from Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Zelenskyy also rejected Russia’s demand that Ukraine surrender the remaining part of the eastern Donbas region that is still under Kyiv’s control.
He argued that giving up the territory would not be enough to end Russian aggression or guarantee lasting peace. “Ukraine is different, and it does not give away what is its own,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president maintained that Kyiv remained committed to finding a path towards peace but would not accept an agreement that required it to surrender territory under pressure.
His comments came as diplomatic efforts and international discussions over the future of the war continue, with Ukraine seeking stronger security guarantees and continued support from its allies.
NAN
