European leaders join Zelensky for Ukraine’s Independence Day

KYIV, Aug 24: European leaders joined President VolodymyrZelensky in Kyiv on Monday for official celebrations marking Ukraine’s Independence Day as Russia pushes on with its 4-year-old invasion of the country.

One of President Vladimir Putin’s key goals in starting a war with Russia’s neighbor in February 2022 was to place Kyiv in Moscow’s orbit. Ukrainians voted overwhelmingly for independence in 1991.

With no significant changes on the front line for months and no apparent progress after more than a year of US-led peace efforts, the warring countries are locked in a spiral of escalating aerial attacks that are killing civilians and smashing infrastructure.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on his first overseas trip since taking office last month, on Monday joined almost a dozen other European leaders, as well as other dignitaries including European Council President Antonio Costa, in Kyiv.

“For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister AndriiSybiha said on social media. “In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side.”�" AP