The U.S. State Department congratulated Russia on its national holiday for the first time since the start of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine and reaffirmed that Washington will remain engaged in efforts to end the war.

“The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on his agency’s website on Thursday. He also said the U.S. wished for “constructive engagement” with Russia to bring about “a durable peace.”

Rubio’s statement marks a break from the previous administration, which had held off congratulating Russia on the holiday since the start of the February 2022 invasion, underscoring the dramatic shift in policy toward Moscow that has occurred since President Donald Trump took office.

The Kremlin welcomed the State Department’s congratulatory statement. The U.S. used the occasion in 2024 to announce a new round of sanctions on Russia.

— The Associated Press