President Donald Trump has sent a letter of support to Ukraine praising its courage and saying the United States believes in its future as an independent state, as the country marks the anniversary of declaring itself free of Soviet rule.

The Ukrainian leader held talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and was set to meet with President Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, amid continuing diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Marking Ukraine’s Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV pledged his prayers for the Ukrainian people in a message to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and encouraged Catholics to respond to Ukrainian religious leaders’ request for prayers for peace Aug. 24.