U.S. President Donald Trump sent an official congratulation to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the country's independence. This became known from a post by Zelenskyy on the social network X, which Ukrainian media outlets are citing. In his address, the American leader emphasized that August 24 is the date on which Washington and Kyiv celebrate a strong friendship built on 35 years of diplomatic relations, and assured Ukraine of support for its sovereign and prosperous future.
Text of Trump's Address
"On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the citizens of Ukraine on Independence Day. August 24 is the day we celebrate our strong friendship, built on 35 years of diplomatic relations — a bond that has only grown stronger since Ukraine gained its independence. Thanks to courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country," the letter reads. Trump also noted that the United States "admires your resilience, honors your sacrifices," and remains confident in Ukraine's future as a sovereign state.
Call to End the Conflict
A separate emphasis in the address is placed on the prospect of ending hostilities. "Let us use this moment to end the conflict and build a strong, lasting peace that will unlock Ukraine's enormous potential for future generations," the American president wrote. Thus, the congratulation on the national holiday was combined with a public signal of Washington's readiness to consider the current moment as a window for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Zelenskyy's Reaction
The President of Ukraine thanked his counterpart and the American people for the greeting and support. In his response, Zelenskyy compared the letter from the White House to the operation of an air defense system: "These words, like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that life can be shielded from Russia's brutal attacks and that a worthy peace can be achieved." In his own Independence Day congratulation, he emphasized that 35 years ago Ukraine was reborn, restored its independence, and proved that it would fight for it, "no matter how hard it was."
Defense Context of the Holiday
On the eve of and on Independence Day itself, Ukraine's partners announced a number of defense-related steps: these included the preparation of Gripen aircraft, the transfer of SCALP missile technologies, and new agreements on the joint production of drones. These initiatives give the congratulatory exchange with Washington an additional practical subtext, linking diplomatic rhetoric to specific deliveries and production programs.
Contradictory Data
Interpretations of the tone of Zelenskyy's response vary among sources. According to RBC-Ukraine and Gazeta.ua, the head of state emphasized gratitude and compared the letter to the "sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch," presenting it as moral support. However, a number of publications (in particular, theotherukraine.info) characterize Zelenskyy's reaction as containing a "rebuke over the lack of missiles," i.e., as a hidden signal about the insufficiency of air defense deliveries. Both versions refer to the same post on X; the difference lies only in whether the Patriot metaphor is read as pure gratitude or as a delicate request to strengthen air defense. The fact of the letter's publication and its text is confirmed by all sources; the discrepancy concerns only the assessment of the subtext.
Significance for the Negotiation Track
Combining the congratulation with a direct call to "use the moment" to end the conflict makes this address one of the notable public signals from Washington against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities. For Kyiv, the letter serves as confirmation of diplomatic support on a national holiday, while for parties assessing negotiation prospects — as an indicator that the issue of a ceasefire is again being raised at the public level in conjunction with allies' defense commitments.
