As Ukraine’s allies gather for big anniversary, one key backer is absent

War in UkraineAs Ukraine’s allies gather for big anniversary, one key backer is absentThe lack of visible senior Trump administration participation was the latest sign of how Washington has backed off during a critical juncture for Ukraine.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00A makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian and foreign soldiers during the Independence Day of Ukraine in Kyiv on Monday.Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd to GoogleAug. 24, 2026, 12:17 PM EDTBy Yuliya TalmazanLeaders of Ukraine’s international allies on Monday marked 35 years since the country broke away from the Soviet Union to become an independent nation.The U.K.’s Andy Burnham flew in, while France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz joined a call to reaffirm commitments to Kyiv. But senior officials from one longtime backer were notably absent from the public show of support: the United States. Add to GoogleRussia, Ukraine trade deadly strikes as war escalates01:55While U.S. senators and former officials visited Ukraine ahead of the commemorations, the apparent lack of senior Trump administration participation was the latest sign of how Washington has backed off during a critical juncture for Ukraine. The message sent was especially pointed as Monday also marks 4 1/2 years since President Vladimir Putin launched his large-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor. Negotiations to reach a peace deal, which President Donald Trump once promised to achieve within 24 hours, have stalled as supplies of U.S. air defense missiles dwindle and the Russian leader ramps up threats to Ukraine’s allies.British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, center left, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, center right, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday.Henry Nicholls / Getty ImagesBritain’s Burnham was the highest-profile Western leader to fly in and co-chair a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of countries backing Ukraine. European Council President António...