A Ukrainian radio station has published a video of some 20 Ukrainian activists, artists, and diplomats singing the Ukrainian anthem, Ukraine Has Not Yet Died.
The clip is meant to mark the country's 24th anniversary of independence, which is being celebrated today.
Among those congratulating Kyiv are Great Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine, Simon Smith; Canadian Ambassador Roman Waschuk; Georgian actor Dimitri Alavidze; VOA TV host Myroslava Gongadze; and Crimean Tatar singer Jamala.
Poroshenko Vows To Raise Troop Numbers
Thousands of servicemen have marched in central Kyiv to mark Ukraine's Independence Day.
Speaking at the parade on August 24, President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine would continue to increase its troop numbers in order to fend off attacks by Russia-backed separatists in the east.
The conflict there has claimed more than 6,800 lives since it began in April 2014.
A cease-fire agreement reached in Minsk in February has been regularly violated, with a spike in violence reported in eastern Ukraine last week.
Poroshenko is expected to discuss the Minsk agreement when he meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande later on August 24 in Berlin.
At the parade, Poroshenko also accused Moscow of sending three military convoys into rebel-held areas in the east just in the past days.
Kyiv and Western governments, which have imposed sanctions on Russia, say there is irrefutable evidence of Russian involvement in the separatist resistance.
Moscow denies it is providing men or arms.
Based on reporting by Interfax, TASS, and AP
Russian rube hits new low:
The U.S. dollar and the euro soared against the Russian currency at the opening of trading on the Moscow Exchange on August 24.
The rate reached 70.75 rubles per $1, which is 1.65 rubles higher than the previous closing.
The euro rose 2.44 rubles higher and reached the rate of 81.08 rubles per 1 euro.
The exchange rates of both currencies are continuing to reach their highest points since February, while the price oil, Russia's major commodity export, continued to drop on August 24.
Brent and U.S. crude oil futures hit 6-1/2-year lows as concerns about a global supply glut added to worries over potentially weaker demand from China.
U.S. crude was down 3 percent at $39.20 a barrel while Brent lost 2.4 percent to $44.40 a barrel.
And here's what's happening in Kyiv:
It's Ukraine's Independence Day today.
Good morning. Main news so far today is that Poroshenko will meet with the German and French leaders:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is due to meet with the French and German leaders in Berlin on August 24 to discuss the escalating violence in eastern Ukraine.
Poroshenko, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will gather to discuss implementation of the Minsk cease-fire agreement.
The three will hold a press conference after their meeting.
The recent surge in violence in eastern Ukraine has cast doubts on a cease-fire deal between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces.
Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for skirmishes around Ukraine’s southeastern port city of Mariupol.
More than 6,800 people have died in the fighting in eastern Ukraine since April 2014.
Before meeting with Poroshenko, Hollande and Merkel will meet together to review options in the European Union's response to an unprecedented influx of migrants fleeing war and unrest in the Middle East and North Africa.
We are now closing the live blog for today. Until we resume again tomorrow, you can keep up with all our Ukraine news coverage here.