President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it “the most effective way forward” on Ukraine’s Independence Day. His remarks came as both countries exchanged prisoners, Ukraine reported battlefield gains, and drone strikes escalated tensions.

Push for a Summit

Despite US President Donald Trump’s push for a Ukraine-Russia summit, Moscow dismissed the idea last week, saying no immediate meeting would happen. Still, Zelensky insisted Sunday that “the format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward,” signaling his determination for a face-to-face dialogue.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western nations of creating “a pretext to block negotiations” and criticized Zelensky for “demanding an immediate meeting at all costs.”

War and Prisoner Swaps

While fighting continues, prisoner exchanges remain one of the few areas where both sides cooperate. On Sunday, Ukraine and Russia swapped 146 prisoners of war and civilians each. Among those freed were two Ukrainian journalists, Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders condemned “their abductions and the abuse they suffered in detention.”

Villages Reclaimed in Donetsk

The battlefield remains tense. Russia recently claimed new gains in the Donetsk region, but Ukraine pushed back. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Ukrainian forces had retaken three villages in Donetsk, which has become central to both military clashes and peace discussions.

Drone Strikes and Nuclear Risks

Ukraine marked Independence Day with drone attacks deep inside Russia. One drone was shot down near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, sparking a fire that was quickly extinguished. Authorities reported no casualties or radiation leaks.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned about the dangers of combat near nuclear plants since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Russian officials also reported drones downed over Saint Petersburg and the Ust-Luga port on the Gulf of Finland, where a fuel terminal owned by Novatek caught fire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 72 Iranian-made Shahed drones and a ballistic missile. Ukrainian defenses destroyed 48 drones, but a Russian strike killed a 47-year-old woman in Dnipropetrovsk.

Independence Day Message

At a ceremony attended by Western officials, Zelensky vowed to keep fighting until peace is achieved. “Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter,” he declared.

He also stressed that the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine after the war would be “important.” Russia has strongly opposed such a move, but visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “it was not the choice of Russia how the future sovereignty, independence, liberty of Ukraine is guaranteed.”

International Support

Ukraine received strong messages of solidarity from global leaders, including Trump, Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, King Charles, and Pope Leo.

Norway pledged 7 billion kroner ($700 million) to provide Ukraine with two Patriot air defense systems, as part of a joint effort with Germany. The systems will be transferred “as soon as possible,” according to Oslo.

Ongoing War

Russia currently controls about a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, annexed in 2014. Despite repeated calls from Ukraine and Western leaders, President Putin has rejected proposals for a ceasefire.

The war, which began in February 2022, has displaced millions and destroyed cities across eastern and southern Ukraine, with no sign of an immediate end.