Zelensky thanks Shavkat Mirziyoyev for supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity

August 24 is Ukraine's Independence Day. Unlike other former Soviet republics, Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991, a day after the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the last symbol of Soviet rule, ceased its activities. On August 24, 2025, Ukraine, along with the Baltic states and other post-Soviet nations, marked its 34th year of independence. On this occasion, as Ukraine continues to defend itself against a large-scale Russian invasion that has lasted three and a half years, heads of state from around the world sent congratulations to Kyiv.

On August 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky spent the day posting messages of congratulations on his page on X. It was reported that among Central Asian leaders, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan sent a telegram to Zelensky to mark the holiday. Later in the day, congratulations from Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev were also shared. Zelensky posted Mirziyoyev’s message on X, expressing his gratitude.

“President Mirziyoyev, I express my sincere gratitude to you for your congratulations on the Independence Day of Ukraine. I am confident that our countries will continue to develop fruitful cooperation for the sake of friendship and prosperity between Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and strengthen bilateral relations. I highly appreciate your position on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and humanitarian initiatives for Ukrainian children to spend their holidays in Uzbekistan,” Zelensky wrote.

In his message to Zelensky, Mirziyoyev wished him good health, success in his political activities, and peace and prosperity for the Ukrainian people. However, unlike usual practice, the Uzbek presidential press service did not announce this congratulatory message, even though it typically reports presidential greetings or condolences sent to other world leaders. Many in Uzbekistan only learned of the congratulation from Zelensky’s post on X.

"I sincerely congratulate you and the entire Ukrainian people on the occasion of the national holiday of Ukraine — Independence Day. I am confident that relations between our countries, based on the principles of traditional friendship and long-term cooperation, will continue to develop in the interests of our peoples. Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health, family happiness, success in your responsible activities, and peace, security, and prosperity for the Ukrainian people," the message read.

Zelensky has varying levels of engagement with Tokayev and Mirziyoyev, with Tokayev considered closer to the Ukrainian leader. As evidence, their recent phone conversation on August 10 can be noted, along with their personal meeting in September 2019 during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. At that time, they exchanged congratulations on their election to the presidency.

Mirziyoyev’s congratulatory message this year is only the second publicly known instance of him addressing Ukraine’s Independence Day since Russia’s invasion in 2022. It remains unclear whether the Uzbek leader sent greetings in 2023 or 2024.

Despite varying levels of engagement, Uzbekistan, like Kazakhstan, recognizes Ukraine's territorial integrity within its 1991 borders. Neither Astana nor Tashkent recognizes the territories occupied by Russia. While Tokayev has publicly conveyed this stance to Putin, Uzbekistan first expressed its position in 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion, through a statement by then–Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.