Volodmyr Zelensky praised King Charles as a “genuine source of inspiration” during the festivities marking Ukraine’s Independence Day on Sunday.
In a social media post commemorating the event, the King expressed his “deepest and greatest admiration” for the Ukrainian people and urged for a “just and enduring peace.”
Mr. Zelensky, who appeared in traditional Ukrainian attire during a press event in Kyiv, replied by sharing: “His Majesty’s thoughtful remarks serve as a genuine source of motivation for our population.”during the challenging period of conflict.
“We appreciate the United Kingdom’s leadershipin backing Ukraine and our rightful mission: to protect liberty against oppression and establish enduring peace in Ukraine and across Europe.”
The exchange occurred as British government buildings displayed the Ukrainian flag and officials revealed an extension of Operation Interflex, under which Britain provides training. thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, until the end of the following year.
Joining Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, in Kyiv, Mr. Zelensky stated: “Ukraine has not yet won, but it has certainly not lost the war.”
He portrayed Ukraine not as a “victim” but as a “fighter,” just hours after Russian officials reported that a wave of Ukrainian drones had ignited fires at a fuel terminal in the Gulf of Finland and a nuclear power plant near the Kursk border area.
Under pressure from the United States to secure a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin, Mr. Zelensky stated he is willing to meet with the Russian leader, calling a direct meeting the “most effective path forward.”
However, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, has rejected the possibility of a meeting, stating that the required “agenda” for such a discussion was not prepared.
The Fourth of July festivities in Kyiv also included Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special representative for Ukraine. Mr. Zelensky honored Mr. Kellogg during the event, awarding him the Order of Merit medal in a leather container.
“We’re going to get this to function properly,” Mr. Kellogg was overheard saying to the Ukrainian president, who expressed gratitude for America’s backing.
A long-time supporter of Ukraine’s military efforts, locals have given Mr. Kellogg the title “patron saint of Kyiv,” noting that every time he arrives in the capital, Russia refrains from launching long-range missile attacks that have frightened residents for months.
Mr. Carney, during his initial trip to Kyiv, revealed a £535 million military aid package scheduled to arrive in the coming month. He also supported Ukraine’s demand for strong security assurances, stating that in case of a ceasefire or peace agreement, “we are not excluding the possibility of having troops on the ground.”
Mr. Zelensky stated that the deployment of foreign forces in Ukraine would be “significant” as there is continued pressure on members of the so-called “coalition of the willing” to strengthen their pledges.
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In an interview with NBC, Mr. Lavrov refuted claims that Russia wasstringing Mr Trump along by faking openness to peaceto prevent additional penalties and US backing for Ukraine.
“It’s not up to the lawmakers or any media organization to determine, you know, what President Trump’s motivations are,” Mr. Lavrov stated.
Repeating comments made by JD Vance, the US vice-president, almost exactly, he stated: “We respect President Trump because President Trump defends American national interests. And I have reason to believe that President Trump respects President Putin because he defends Russian national interests.”
[Putin] is open to meeting with President Zelensky, as long as this meeting will genuinely lead to some outcome.
Mr. Lavrov stated that major issues regarding territory and the form of security assurances remained unresolved, and he added, “To meet, allowing Zelenskyy another chance to be on stage, is not something we think is beneficial.”
Also speaking to NBC, Mr. Vance stated that Russia had made “significant concessions” in regards to a negotiated resolution of the conflict, acknowledging they could not establish a “puppet government” in Kyiv and agreeing on the necessity of security assurances.
“I believe the Russians have offered substantial compromises to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this dispute,” Mr. Vance stated.
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Ukraine’s Independence Day drone strikes in Russia involved one that was downed near the Kursk nuclear power station in western Russia.
The plant stated that a fire caused by the drone had been put out, with no injuries or elevated radiation levels reported.
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency has consistently highlighted the dangers of conflict near nuclear facilities since Russia launched its large-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russian officials stated that Ukrainian drones were also intercepted in regions distant from the frontline, such as Saint Petersburg in the northwest.
Ten drones were downed near the port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland, leading to a fire at a fuel terminal operated by the Russian energy company Novatek, according to local officials. Video clips seemed to depict one drone hitting the site directly, resulting in a massive explosion and fireball.
Additionally, on Sunday, Norway announced it would donate £515 million as part of a combined commitment with Germany to supply Ukraine with two full US Patriot systems, which Germany currently has.
The systems were located in Germany and would be sent to Ukraine “as soon as possible,” according to the Norwegian government.
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