{
  "id": 2997340,
  "title": "Lukashenko sends Ukraine Independence Day wishes despite war-complicity accusations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/lukashenko-sends-ukraine-independence-day-wishes-despite-war",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T10:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/lukashenko-congratulates-ukraine-on-independence-day-wishes-peace-and-prosperity-50635184.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko extended his congratulations to Ukrainians on the 35th anniversary of their country's independence, despite accusations of complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine. In a message posted on his website, Lukashenko stated that \"the historical destinies of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples are closely intertwined\" and that their nations are \"connected by centuries-old traditions, memories of shared victories and difficult trials.\" He expressed confidence that despite \"geopolitical upheavals,\" future generations of Belarusians and Ukrainians would preserve their \"age-old friendly and family ties,\" while the two capitals would restore \"mutually beneficial cooperation based on trust, respect and equality.\" Lukashenko also wished Ukrainian citizens \"health and prosperity, and their country — peace and happiness.\" The Forum of Democratic Forces of Belarus released a letter accusing the Belarusian President of war crimes, genocide, and state terror, calling for Ukraine to hold him accountable.",
  "summary": "Ukraine marked the 35th anniversary of its independence on August 24. Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sent congratulations, stating that the historical destinies of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples are closely intertwined, according to his website.\n\nUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine wants peace but will not surrender to Russia at any price. He made these comments during a defiant speech on Independence Day, as reported by Free Malaysia Today and The Korea Times. Zelensky rejected Russia's demand that Ukraine cede the remaining part of the eastern Donbas area not under Russian control.\n\nForeign leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, not Andy Burnham as per Free Malaysia Today and The Korea Times, and European Council President Antonio Costa, attended events in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine. They were set to co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries backing Ukraine, France 24 reported.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Ukraine wants peace but won't give in, Zelenskyy says on Independence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ukraine-wants-peace-but-wont-give-in-zelenskyy-says-on-independence",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:52:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ukraine wants peace but won't give in, Zelenskyy says on Independence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ukraine-wants-peace-but-wont-give-in-zelenskyy-says-on-independence-2984583",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:55:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "European leaders rally in Kyiv to celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/european-leaders-rally-in-kyiv-to-celebrate-ukraines-independence-day",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:12:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ukraine wants peace but won’t give in, says Zelensky on Independence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ukraine-wants-peace-but-wont-give-in-says-zelensky-on-independence-day",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:18:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "King Charles congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day, honoring national resolve",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/king-charles-congratulates-ukraine-on-independence-day-honoring",
        "published": "2026-08-24T11:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Ukraine wants peace but won’t ‘simply surrender’, Zelensky says on Independence Day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ukraine-wants-peace-but-wont-simply-surrender-zelensky-says-on",
        "published": "2026-08-24T11:50:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}