Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Kyiv, August 24, 2026 (Sky)
EA-Ukraine VideoCast: A Federov-Musk Scheme v. President Zelensky?
Monday’s Coverage: Zelensky Again Rejects Elections During Russia’s Invasion
UPDATE 0727 GMT:
The US has again refused to join a UN statement condemning Russia’s strikes on Ukraine and calling for an immediate end to hostilities.
The document, for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, was supported by 50 countries. Among them were all 27 European Union countries, the UK, Japan, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.
“We urge Russia to heed calls for a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and to resume negotiations on a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the statement set out.
The signatories called for the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of illegally detained persons, and the return of deported Ukrainians, including children.
In late May, the US refused to join Ukraine’s statement at the UN condemning Russia’s threats to launch “systemic attacks” against Kyiv. Last fall, the Trump Administration did not support a Ukrainian statement accusing Moscow of waging an “unprovoked war”.
UPDATE 0708 GMT:
Ukraine’s air defenses downed 124 of 150 attack drones launched by Russia overnight.
The Russians also fired an Iskander-M ballistic missile and a Kh-31P guided aircraft missile.
Strikes were recorded at 17 locations.
UPDATE 0706 GMT:
Ukraine’s drones struck the Afipsky Oil Refinery, one of the largest in southern Russia, overnight.
The facility processes roughly 6.25 million tons of crude annually, around 2% of Russia’s refining output.
The strike is the fifth on the complex this year.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Gathering in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day, Europe’s leaders pledged further support for the resistance against Russia’s 54-month full-scale invasion.
The leaders focused on the threat to Ukraine this winter from Russia’s ballistic missile strikes, exploiting Kyiv’s lack of air defenses.
The European Union released another €6.1 billion ($7.1 billion). The financing is part of a €90 billion loan, including €60 billion in military aid, approved by the EU this spring.
Commitments included support of Ukraine’s counter-attacks inside Russia. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced consent for defense company MBDA to release classified information about components used in Britain’s Storm Shadow long-range missile. The provision will help France and Kyiv advance plans for production of the French SCALP missile in Ukraine.
The UK will have access to Ukraine’s AI Avengers Labs and its real-world battlefield data for training on AI defense systems.
Addressing the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the assurance of the package for air defense ahead of winter. He asked partners to help cover a funding gap of €27 billion for defense in 2026, citing the possible use of frozen Russian assets in Europe.
The Coalition “expressed their determination to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen its air defense as a matter of urgent priority, enhance cooperation with its defense industry, and share relevant technologies, including through the anti-ballistic missile coalition”.
Leaders pledged to continue efforts to “constrain Russia’s war chest” through sanctions and actions against Moscow’s shadow fleet”. They agreed on the need for “immediate assistance” for Ukraine’s energy sector.
Zelensky: “Ukrainians Will Not Submit”
At the Independence Day ceremony in front of St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Zelensky said:
Ukrainians restored the independence of their state, and we will definitely protect the independence of Ukraine. No doubt about it….
Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers. Ukrainians will not submit. Ukrainians will not be bargaining chips in the disputes of capitals. Ukrainians will not submit to what they do not believe in. And they will definitely not abandon their own dream. Dream to live, dreams to live independently.
Burnham drew upon Britain’s refusal to surrender to Germany’s Blitz in World War II:
My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century, you hold that flame in the 21st.
Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister praised “the sheer strength” of the Ukrainian people: “This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war.”
European Union Council President António Costa hailed Ukrainian people for their “courage and bravery” that “inspires the world.”
“We will continue to provide as much support as necessary for as long as necessary,” he pledged.
