Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his address marking the 35th anniversary of independence to declare that Russia must be forced to its knees through international unity and rebuffed renewed Russian demands to cede the Donetsk region. In a 21-minute video, Zelensky said that after more than 1,640 days of war, Ukraine had overcome tasks that once appeared insurmountable and praised its domestic defence industry as a giant strengthening the nation around the clock.
Zelensky urged China to end its silence and commended the United States under President Donald Trump for shedding its illusions about Russia, while calling for sanctions that would make Moscow "howl."
The anniversary drew tangible allied support: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged continued backing, and the European Commission released a further €6.1 billion from its €90 billion loan package. A coalition of willing nations, including European Council President António Costa and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, gathered in Kyiv to discuss further military assistance.