Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday (August 23) he will not cede territories to Russia as he marked National Flag Day.

U.S. President Donald Trump renewed a threat to impose sanctions on Russia on Friday if there is no progress toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine in two weeks, showing frustration at Moscow a week after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Zelenskiy said on Friday that Russia was doing everything it could to prevent a meeting between him and Putin, while Russia's foreign minister said the agenda for such a meeting was not ready.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for Putin to meet him, saying it is the only way to negotiate an end to the war.

The National Flag Day ceremony was held on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day and attended by country’s top officials.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KYIV, UKRAINE (AUGUST 23, 2025) (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE - Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, WALKING, GREETING GUARD OF HONOUR, SAYING (Ukrainian): "Glory to Ukraine!", GUARD OF HONOUR RESPONDING (Ukrainian): 'Glory to heroes!"

2. TOP VIEW OF DNIPRO RIVER AND KYIV-PECHERSK LAVRA COMPLEX

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"This flag is a goal and dream (OVER GUARDSMEN OF HONOUR) for many Ukrainians on temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. They keep the flag. (BACK TO ZELENSKIY) They keep it because they know that we will not gift our land to an occupier. This flag symbolises the dearest thing for hundreds of our warriors - men and women - from all over Ukraine who defend (OVER UKRAINIAN TOP OFFICIALS) not just (BACK TO ZELENSKIY) a specific direction of the front line, not just Vovchansk or Dobropillia, but entire Ukraine. (ENDS OVER UKRAINIAN TOP OFFICIALS)"

4. ZELENSKIY ASKING TO HOLD MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR FALLEN SOLDIERS

5. VARIOUS OF MOMENT OF SILENCE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"Congratulations on Flag Day, dear Ukrainians. Glory to Ukraine!"

7. OFFICIALS RESPONDING (Ukrainian): "Glory to heroes!"

8. ORCHESTRA PLAYING

9. VARIOUS OF UKRAINIAN NATIONAL FLAG BEING RAISED

10. VARIOUS OF UKRAINIAN TOP OFFICIALS AND ZELENSKIY SINGING UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

11. VARIOUS OF UKRAINIAN FLAG FLYING

12. VARIOUS OF GUARD OF HONOUR WALKING PAST ZELENSKIY DURING CEREMONY