KIEV, Aug. 25 – U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and the Ukrainian people on their 24th Independence Day.

"Over the past year Ukraine has made great strides toward attaining the goals it has held since achieving independence in 1991. While confronting myriad challenges, the people of Ukraine are closer than ever to realizing their shared vision of a free, democratic, and prosperous country firmly integrated in the heart of Europe," Obama emphasized in a statement posted one the website of the Ukrainian head of state on Sunday.