Zelensky shares powerful message to Trump and Putin - 'future is up to us alone'

Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered a powerful message of defiance - saying Ukraine would keep fighting until a "just peace" is reached.

In an address in Kyiv to mark his nation's independence day, he said its future is "up to us alone". And he pledged that Ukraine "will never again in history be forced into the shame that Russians call compromise".

It comes as Donald Trump pushes Vladimir Putin to meet with Mr Zelensky for the first time since the 2022 invasion as world leaders push for a peace deal. In a speech the Ukrainian President said: "We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace.

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"What our future will be is up to us alone." In a message marking the 34th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, Mr Zelensky said: “We are confident that we will withstand this war – the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian people.

"We will defend our independence and our land – and the right to an independent national life for Ukrainians. So that our children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren, can live safely on their land and by their own rules.

“Ukrainians are - and Ukrainians will remain - on this land where a hundred years from now our future generations will stand. And a hundred years from now, they will celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day here.”

Ukrainian flags were flown above UK government buildings, while King Charles sent a message of support to the war-torn nation. The monarch told Mr Zelensky: "I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people.

"I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine." Mr Zelensky responded: "His Majesty's kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war.

"We appreciate the United Kingdom's leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe." Fighting shows no sign of easing despite diplomatic efforts to bring the warring nations for talks.

Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on power and energy facilities, sparking a fire at a nuclear power plant in the western Kursk region. On Sunday night Russia claimed around 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, while Putin's defence ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine's air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

Last week Mr Zelensky met the US President at the White House, days after Mr Trump held a summit with Putin in Alaska. It sparked fears that Ukraine would be forced to accept a bad deal, giving away territory with few guarantees against Russia striking again.

Mr Trump has given Moscow a two-week deadline to agree to peace talks with Mr Zelensky, threatening further action if no progress is made. In a letter paying tribute to Ukraine's "unbreakable spirit", the US President wrote: “Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing.

"The United States supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity.”

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