Ukraine is marking 24 years of independence from the Soviet Union with a military parade in Kiev - as fighting continues to rage in the east of the country between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has told a crowd of thousands in the capital Kiev that the country would face a military threat "for the foreseeable future", and pledged $3bn (£1.8bn) to re-equip his nation's forces.
President Petro Poroshenko has pledged to re-equip his nation's military "It is clear that in the foreseeable future, unfortunately, a constant military threat will hang over Ukraine," he said.
"And we need to learn not only to live with this, but also to be always prepared to defend the independence of our country."
He added: "I am convinced that the battle for Ukraine, for independence, will be our success.
Wreaths were laid to those killed in the winter protests in Kiev "War has come to us from over the horizon where it was never expected.
"In the 21st century, in the centre of Europe, there is a flagrant attempt to breach the border of a sovereign state without declaring war.
"It is as if the world has returned to the 1930s, the eve of World War II."
Wreaths were also laid to those killed in the winter protests which forced former pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych from power.
The bloody conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed an estimated 2,000 people His overthrow led to the Russian invasion of Crimea, and triggered the current unrest in the east.
Many of those attending the event in Kiev wore the national colours of blue and yellow and sang the national anthem as the country's flag was raised.
Oleksandr Kaplya said: "It is a demonstration of the unity and independence of Ukraine. We want to show the world that we are one."
Shortly before the parade got under way, shelling struck a hospital in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk.
A hospital building in the rebel-held city of Donetsk was hit by shell fire The morgue bore the brunt of the attack, taking a direct hit.
Stunned patients, being treated in nearby buildings, looked on as separatist fighters inspected the scene.
Rocket attacks on Donetsk have become common as government troops seek to drive out rebel forces, causing several hundred thousand civilians to flee.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday pushed for a new ceasefire in crisis talks with Mr Poroshenko in Kiev.
During her visit to Kiev, Ms Merkel called for a "bilateral ceasefire and effective border controls" to help stop four months of fighting in Ukraine.
Her visit came ahead of crucial talks on Tuesday between Mr Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside top EU officials.
Tensions surged on Friday when Russia sent a convoy of trucks it said were carrying aid to the rebel-held city Luhansk in an unauthorised move Kiev described as a "direct invasion".
The West sharply rebuked Russia over the convoy, which left on Saturday, with Washington describing it as a "dangerous escalation".
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