World leaders congratulate Ukraine on Independence Day

They posted their greetings on social media.

Salome Zourabichvili

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, also joined the congratulations. She emphasized that Ukrainians have been courageously defending their country's independence for a year and a half.

"Dear President, dear Ukrainian friends, Georgia is with you today, on this Independence Day. Georgia wants to celebrate with you your independence, for which you have been fighting so bravely for a year and a half. We will be together on the day of your victory. I congratulate you on your Independence Day," she said.

Boris Johnson 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also congratulated Ukrainians on Independence Day

“On Ukrainian Independence Day our hearts go out once again to the heroic men and women of Ukraine who are fighting for their country and for freedom everywhere. No matter how hard the going may sometimes seem, we must always remember that their military achievements are already astonishing,” he posted.

Johnson emphasized that justice will prevail, Ukrainians will win and " clear their land of Putin's invaders."

Gitanas Nausėda

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda delivered a speech at St Sophia's Square in Kyiv and congratulated Ukraine and Ukrainians on Independence Day.

Nausėda spoke in Ukrainian.

"Glory to Ukraine! Dear Vladimir, brothers and sisters Ukrainians! I sincerely congratulate you on your Independence Day. It is a great honour for me to celebrate it together with the Ukrainian people who are fighting for their independence," the Lithuanian president said.

He stressed that despite the Russian aggression, the Ukrainian people resisted and did not give up. According to him, Ukrainians are showing an example of courage and determination in front of the whole world.

"Today I want to emphasise once again: you are not alone! Since the first days of this war, the whole of Lithuania has been passionately supporting Ukraine and remains unwavering in its support. We will never recognise the occupation and annexation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories. Because Crimea is Ukraine. Because Donetsk and Luhansk, Mariupol and Melitopol are Ukraine," Nausėda said.

He also expressed hope that Lithuania and Ukraine will celebrate the victory together on the next Independence Day.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also congratulated the Ukrainian people and delivered a speech at St Sophia's Square in Kyiv.

He expressed his support for Ukraine and said that Portugal would stand behind Ukraine's independence.

"In the past - during the full-scale Russian invasion. In the present - in support of your legitimate defence, without which there would be no peace and security in Europe. In the future - in the European Union and NATO," the Portuguese president said.

He also stressed that he embraced the "indomitable Ukrainian people".

"Long live independent Ukraine, long live the brotherhood between the Ukrainian and Portuguese peoples," Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added.

Joe Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated Ukrainians on Independence Day and stressed that his country continues to support Ukraine and defend it from Russian aggression.

"Today, the people of Ukraine are once more marking their Independence Day, while suffering the all-out assault of Putin’s craven war for land and power. For eighteen months, Ukrainian families have lived under the daily threat of Russian rockets and the reality of brutal attacks. But the people of Ukraine have refused to break," Biden wrote.

He also expressed hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their Independence Day in peace and security, knowing how their extraordinary courage has inspired the world.

"May Ukraine’s Independence Day be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere," the US President said.

Antony Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken congratulated Ukraine and said that 24 August is a day of testimony to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and democracy and a day of pride in the country's strength and resilience. According to him, it is also a day to celebrate Ukrainian heritage and culture.

"Today also marks one and a half years since the Kremlin launched its brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine – 18 months of senseless aggression, causing death and destruction across Ukraine," Blinken added.

He also stressed that it is thanks to the resilience of its people that Ukraine will prevail, and Russia will "pay a high price for what it has done".

Roberta Metsola

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola also congratulated Ukraine and all Ukrainians on Independence Day.

"Freedom, sovereignty, independence.

That is what Ukraine deserves, what Europe supports, what the future holds.

On Independence Day, we reiterate our commitment to Ukraine," Metsola wrote.

According to her, the European Parliament will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, "Just like we did for the past 18 months".

Instead, the President recorded a video greeting, which she began in Ukrainian: "Dear Ukrainians".

Josep Borrell

The representative of the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, recorded a video greeting for Ukraine's Independence Day.

"I congratulate the Ukrainian people on the Independence Day of Ukraine. 

You fight for your freedom and bravely defend the values we share.

Europe stands firmly with you. Our future is together," the official said.

Ursula von der Leyen

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Ukrainians and said that Ukraine's strength is in its people.

"Ukraine’s strength lies in its people. 

In their courage, their force and enduring hope in a future of peace and prosperity in a united Europe. 

They are an inspiration to all Europeans.

Congratulations to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine on Ukraine Independence Day," the President said.

Paul Grod

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, also expressed his congratulations on Ukraine's Independence Day.

"Today, our unbreakable Ukrainian state celebrates the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of its independence. By bravely defending ourselves against Russia's genocidal war against the 65 million Ukrainian people, we are demonstrating to the world our strength, dignity and iron will," wrote the President of the Ukrainian World Congress.

"Independence is the choice of the strong - it is the choice of the dignified - it is the choice of the free," Grod added.

Maia Sandu

Moldovan President Maia Sandu congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day and expressed her "firm support".

"Today, as Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day, we stand with you more firmly than ever. Your resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to freedom inspire us all. Together, in shared belief in democracy and a European future, we move forward. Slava Ukraini!" the Moldovan president wrote.

Matti Maasikas

The Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, also recorded a video message of congratulations.

"My message on Ukraine's 32nd Independence Day is a message of hope. Hope of victory in this horrible war, hope of restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, hope of justice being done to Russian war criminals. And of hope that Ukraine will become an EU Member State," the greeting reads.

Melinda Simmons

The British Ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, also recorded a greeting in Ukrainian and stressed that "independence is a choice for the future".

"For me, independence is about choosing your future," Simmson said.

Bridget Brink

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink began her greetings in Ukrainian and said that the United States supports the Ukrainians' fight for freedom.

"Americans and Ukrainians both know the value and the cost of freedom. The United States stands with you as you fight for your future – and our support will not waver. Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!" Brink wrote.

Canadian diplomats

Canadian diplomats said in a video greeting that their country was one of the first to recognise and support Ukraine as a free and sovereign state.

“On 24 August 1991, Ukrainians stood proudly to proclaim their independence. Today, they continue to stand, and Canada will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the greeting reads.

Gaël Veyssiere

The new French Ambassador to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssiere, congratulated Ukraine and wrote that he was proud to be in Ukraine on Independence Day.

"Happy independence day! Proud to be in Kyiv on this special day. As President Macron said yesterday, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity," he said in his greeting.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated everyone who fights and helps - the military, doctors, teachers, families and every citizen - on Ukraine's Independence Day.

Ukrainian military leaders also congratulated citizens on the country's Independence Day and stressed that freedom and dignity have always been our core values.