Marco Rubio congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day and reaffirms U.S. support

“The United States is committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and continues to work to support a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war that establishes a lasting and durable peace,” Rubio said.

He added that 35 years after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, the United States “reaffirms the enduring cooperation between the two countries.”

Rubio emphasized that as Ukrainians “honor their nation’s history and celebrate their courage, innovation, and resilience,” the United States reinforces its strong commitment to advancing economic and security ties and “forging a path towards peace and prosperity for both nations.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and James Lankford in Kyiv following the National Prayer Breakfast on August 23. The head of state emphasized the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia to force a diplomatic end to the war, calling for the immediate passage of a sanctions bill drafted by the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

American diplomat Paul Houston assumed his duties as Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the United States in Ukraine on the same day. He succeeds Julie Davis, who concluded her diplomatic mission on June 27 after serving as Acting Head of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv since May 2025.

Ukraine reached an agreement with the United States on monthly deliveries of missiles for Patriot systems, though the current volumes remain insufficient, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on August 8.