Zelensky: Ukraine 'Already Defeating Russia' Through Resilience, Won't Cede Donbas to Save Kremlin 'Half a Million Soldiers'

In his Independence Day address marking 35 years since Ukraine's break from the Soviet Union, President Zelensky said Ukraine wants peace but will not simply surrender, declaring 'we are already defeating Russia: through willpower, technology, resilience and dignity.' He told Russians their president is mortal and running out of time, and said Ukraine 'will not save the Kremlin half a million soldiers' by ceding the Donbas region. Zelensky called on allies to 'give Ukraine everything it needs to stop this war, to stop it faster than Putin can start the next one.' British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European Council President António Costa attended the Kyiv commemorations.