On August 24, Ukraine marked its Independence Day, with European leaders gathering in Kyiv. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Estonian President Alar Karis, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden, and European Council President Antonio Costa arrived in the capital. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also traveled to Kyiv, marking his first visit to Ukraine and his first foreign trip since taking office.
Burnham is expected to announce enhanced support for Ukraine's long-range missile production capabilities. The UK government will allow European defense company MBDA to declassify information about British components of Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles, potentially enabling Ukraine to begin manufacturing similar missiles on its own territory.
Alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, Burnham will chair a meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' in Kyiv, which includes 34 countries. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other participants will join via video link. In a video address, Merz reaffirmed Berlin's unwavering support, praising the 'remarkable courage' of Ukrainians in their fight against Russia's 'brutal military aggression.'
In his Independence Day address, Zelensky said Ukraine must intensify strikes deep into Russian territory. He cited strikes on Moscow, Tuapse, Ryazan, the Olenya airbase, and other targets, emphasizing that Ukrainian 'Flamingo' missiles should become a 'mass bird.' Zelensky also called on China to respond to Russia's nuclear threats and expressed belief that sanctions pressure, including from the United States, would force Moscow to negotiate.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Ukrainians on the holiday, reaffirming commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko also congratulated Ukraine, expressing hope for the restoration of 'mutually beneficial cooperation' between Minsk and Kyiv.