Zelensky thanks Germany for saving 'countless lives'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Chancellor Friedrich Merz for Germany's support in defending his country, writing on X that Berlin was playing a leading role in preserving Ukraine's independence. 

"Countless lives have been saved thanks to German aid," Zelensky wrote in a message of thanks following Monday's grand celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Zelensky also published a congratulatory letter from Donald Trump, after Russian media claimed the US president had not sent his congratulations on Independence Day this year. 

"August 24 is a day to celebrate our enduring friendship built on 35 years of diplomatic relations, a bond that has only deepened since Ukraine gained its independence," Trump wrote, according to the text published by Zelensky.

"With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country," Trump continued. 

The US, Trump wrote, admired Ukraine's "resilient spirit," honoured its sacrifices and looked forward with confidence to its future as a "sovereign, prosperous nation," according to Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude for the "warm and encouraging congratulations." Trump's letter reportedly concluded with a call for peace. "Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come."

Zelensky responded with an indirect request for interceptor missiles to protect against attacks by Russian ballistic missiles. "These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give us hope that lives can be protected from Russia's brutal attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved," he wrote.