Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for U.S. support by sharing a message from President Donald Trump on Ukraine's Independence Day. The release of Trump's message comes as no senior U.S. officials attended the Independence Day celebrations, emphasizing the supportive relationship between the two nations.
On August 25, Zelensky posted the full text of Trump's message on X (formerly Twitter), which congratulated Zelensky and the Ukrainian people on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Trump noted that the two countries have built a friendship over 35 years of diplomatic relations. He praised the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of the Ukrainian people and expressed support for a future as a sovereign and prosperous nation.
Trump also emphasized the need to build a strong and lasting peace to end the conflict and unlock Ukraine's tremendous potential for future generations.
Zelensky described Trump's message as "warm and inspiring," thanking the former president and the American people for their support. He remarked, "These words boost our morale like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 missile launch," highlighting the hope of protecting lives and achieving peace amid ongoing Russian attacks. This statement is seen as a subtle appeal for continued U.S. support for Patriot missile defense systems.
The release of the message followed reports that no senior U.S. officials attended the Independence Day events. According to Yonhap News, citing NBC, neither Trump nor any high-ranking U.S. officials were present at the celebrations held in the capital, Kyiv. In contrast, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European Union Council President António Costa attended the 'Union of Will' summit in person, while French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated via video link.
Attendance from the U.S. was limited to congressional figures, former officials, and ex-envoys. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that efforts are ongoing to support negotiations for a resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine and to achieve a lasting peace.
On the same day, Zelensky expressed gratitude to various world leaders who attended the Independence Day events or sent messages.
As Russia continues its missile attacks, Ukraine faces significant damage due to a shortage of air defense interceptors. Additionally, political rivals within the country are increasingly calling for elections, making ongoing international support for Zelensky even more crucial.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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