Ukraine Marks 35th Independence Day as European Leaders Rally in Kyiv

Ukraine marked the 35th anniversary of its 1991 declaration of independence on August 24, the fifth such anniversary observed under Russia's full-scale war. In a nationwide address, President Zelensky said Ukraine is 'already defeating Russia: through willpower, technology, resilience and dignity,' citing the liberation of parts of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts early in the war, advances in domestic drone production, strikes on Russian naval assets, and long-range strikes reaching Moscow and other Russian cities, while calling for greater international pressure on Moscow. European leaders converged on Kyiv for the occasion as part of the 'Coalition of the Willing,' including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham (on his first overseas trip since taking office), EU Council President António Costa — to whom Zelensky presented a Ukrainian state award — Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Luxembourg PM Luc Frieden, with French President Emmanuel Macron joining via video link. Burnham announced the UK had authorized defense firm MBDA to release classified information on British components in the SCALP long-range missile, clearing the way for France and Ukraine to advance local production plans. Leaders urged Washington to impose stiffer sanctions on Russia and pressed for an unconditional ceasefire.