The Ukrainian president then signed several laws targeting Russia, including a law banning the Moscow branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Ukraine has been seeking to distance itself from the Russian church since 2014 and the efforts have accelerated since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Russia’s invasion has been backed by Patriarch Kirill, the country’s Orthodox Church leader, a staunch ally of Putin.
Russia slammed the move as “illegal”. Mr Zelensky said that “Ukrainian Orthodox [church] today is taking a step towards liberation from Moscow’s devils”.
Mr Zelensky also ratified the Rome Statute, which paves the way for Ukraine to join the International Criminal Court, and could increase the chances of Russia being prosecuted for war crimes since the start of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, was among the international figures who sent messages of support to Ukraine to coincide with its independence day commemorations.
“To the people of Ukraine from the people of Britain, we send you our warmest wishes as you mark your independence day,” Sir Keir said on social media.
“I want you to know that we stand with you for as long as it takes, with whatever it takes until victory, until a just and lasting peace.”
Mr Zelensky later held official celebrations on Kyiv’s Sofia Square alongside Andrzej Duda, the Polish president, and Ingrida Simonyte, the Lithuanian prime minister.