Zelenskyy blasts US over Russia Day greetings amid war for Ukraine's independence
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's greetings on Russia Day, which triggered a negative response in Ukraine.
He said the day symbolizes Russia's independence, while Russia is simultaneously waging a war to take away Ukraine's independence.
"In any case, greetings from the United States on Russia Day are an unpleasant fact for me. I will not hide it. This is Russia's Independence Day. They want to take away our independence. This war is specifically about Ukraine's independence. It is Russia's war against Ukraine," the president said.
He stressed that amid the war Russia is waging against Ukraine, congratulations on Russia's state holidays from Ukraine's partners are not seen positively.
Zelenskyy called for understanding the symbolism of such actions in the context of the current confrontation.
Background
Earlier, in his congratulation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US "remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future."
"We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries," he added.
