--- title: "Rubio congratulates Ukraine on 35th anniversary of independence: Washington reaffirms commitment to sovereignty and a negotiated settlement" description: "U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of its independence, reaffirming Washington's commitment to Kyiv's sovereignty and a negotiated settlement. On the same day, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv." date: 2026-08-24T06:02:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/rubio-congratulates-ukraine-on-35th-anniversary-of-independence tags: [marco-rubio, ukraine-independence-day, us-ukraine-relations, andy-burnham, coalition-of-the-willing] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Rubio congratulates Ukraine on 35th anniversary of independence: Washington reaffirms commitment to sovereignty and a negotiated settlement ![US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in front of the Capitol dome during his statement congratulating Ukraine on its 35th independence anniversary](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/24/rubio-pozdravil-ukrainu-s-35-letiem-nezavisimosti/rubio-pozdravil-ukrainu-s-35-letiem-nezavisimosti-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio published a congratulatory message on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence on the State Department website. - Rubio stated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and support for a negotiated settlement. - On the same day, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on his first visit in office. - Burnham is set to hand over declassified data on SCALP missiles and for the first time chair a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio published an official congratulatory message on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The text of the statement, posted on the website of the U.S. Department of State, emphasizes, according to RBC-Ukraine, that on this day Washington "once again reaffirms the strong partnership" between the two countries. In his address, the diplomat noted that on Independence Day Ukrainians honor their country's history and demonstrate "courage, innovation, and resilience." ### Focus on sovereignty and negotiations The central element of the statement was the wording on Washington's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty. "The United States is committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and continues to work to support a negotiated settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war that will ensure a lasting and strong peace," Rubio stated. The Secretary of State also underscored "a firm commitment to strengthening economic and security ties and charting a course toward peace and prosperity for both peoples," which reflects the dual vector of U.S. policy — supporting security while simultaneously working toward a diplomatic resolution of the conflict. ### Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv Against the backdrop of the American congratulation, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on his first foreign visit in office. According to available information, he is set to hand over declassified data on SCALP missiles to Ukraine and for the first time chair a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing." The timing of the British prime minister's visit, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of independence, reinforces the signal of coordinated support for Kyiv from key Western capitals on the anniversary of the declaration of independence. ### Context: 35 years of independence and the challenges As RBC-Ukraine journalists previously noted on the eve of the 35th anniversary of independence, the country faces a number of internal and external difficulties: political scandals, the ongoing NABU investigation, and a difficult situation at the front ahead of winter. Against this backdrop, international statements of support — from Washington to London — are perceived as an attempt to consolidate Ukraine's foreign-policy backing at a time when, according to the outlet's assessment, the domestic agenda and combat operations create additional pressure. ### Significance of the statement The publication of the congratulation precisely on the anniversary of independence and on the day of the British prime minister's visit forms a unified information framework: the United States and the United Kingdom simultaneously reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and pledge further practical support — from intelligence data and weapons to diplomatic support for the negotiation track. Thus, August 24, 2026, became a date on which a symbolic congratulation coincided with concrete steps on security and coordination within the "Coalition of the Willing." ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Rubio congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day and reaffirms U.S. support](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-privitav-ukrayinu-dnem-nezalezhnosti-1787550701.html) - Основной источник: текст поздравления Рубио, цитата о приверженности суверенитету и переговорному урегулированию, упоминание визита Бернема и данных по SCALP. - ["The U.S. is committed to Ukraine's sovereignty": Marco Rubio congratulates Ukrainians on the 35th anniversary ...](https://24tv.ua/ru/den-nezavisimosti-ukrainy-pozdravlenie-rubio-chto-skazal-gossekretar_n3128594) - Подтверждает формулировку о приверженности США суверенитету Украины и повод — 35-я годовщина независимости. - ["Flamingos" to winter in Russia: how Zelensky, Rubio and others congratulated Ukraine on ...](https://focus.ua/ukraine/765472-den-nezavisimosti-ukrainy-zelenskiy-zayavil-ob-udarah-flamingo-po-rf) - Подтверждает участие Рубио в поздравлениях; добавляет контекст заявления Зеленского об ударах, не противоречит основным фактам. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What did U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio say in his congratulation to Ukraine? **A:** Rubio congratulated Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of its independence, stated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and to continuing efforts to support a negotiated settlement, as well as to strengthening economic and defense ties. ### Q: Who arrived in Kyiv on the day of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence? **A:** British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on his first foreign visit in office; according to sources, he is set to hand over declassified data on SCALP missiles and for the first time chair a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing." ### Q: What was the occasion for the congratulation? **A:** The occasion was the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, which is marked on August 24.