President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine and took part in the ceremony of raising the blue-yellow flag on the territory of the Memorial Complex "National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II".
The ceremony was attended by foreign leaders: President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kullbergs, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre and Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, the military-political leadership of the state and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The Head of State thanked everyone who was with our people and on our side in Kyiv on such an important day for us.
"Today is an important day - the day of our important Ukrainian symbol, our true talisman, a day of very strong emotion. This is the warmth that you feel when you are at home or when in any corner of the earth you recognize your own and yours - you recognize them by two colors: the Ukrainian heart and soul, to which this very day is dedicated - the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President presented the historical flag - the very one that was brought into the Verkhovna Rada hall on August 24, 1991, in the first moments after the restoration of Ukraine's independence.
"This is not just a symbolic gesture or a beautiful action. It is about the ability of Ukrainians to protect and not be afraid. Seventy years of the "sovka" have not erased the memory of our people - they have not erased the people's memory of which flag is real for all of us, for all Ukrainians. Knowledge about this state symbol was preserved from the Cossack era and the UNR until that very day in 1991," the Head of State noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that our enemies have always feared the Ukrainian flag, banned it, and punished it. Our Ukrainian flag, like our independence, has been irritating Russia for decades, which is why in 2014 the aggressor state occupied Crimea and part of Donbas, and in 2022 it launched a full-scale invasion. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian leader still does not abandon his desire to destroy Ukraine, which is why he continues the war and massive strikes, terror, and murders.
"For us, life without Ukraine is not life, Ukraine's captivity is not an option. So all Ukrainians are fighting even harder. They are not giving up their state, they are defending their independence, they are defending Ukraine and all of Europe, and they are doing it in such a way that today everyone in Europe and all over the world knows: blue and yellow are the colors of Ukraine, the colors of our people, the colors of our courage. The Ukrainian flag is the flag of strength, stability, freedom, and the victory of life," the President said.
The Head of State thanked everyone who defends Ukraine and called for remembering all who gave their lives in this struggle for our state. Those present honored the memory of the fallen soldiers with a minute of silence.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal congratulated Ukrainians on National Flag Day and Independence Day. He emphasized that Estonia knows the value of national symbols and precisely because they mean freedom for the people, they have not been stopped by any bans or persecutions.
“Russia continues its attacks because it still thinks it can break the Ukrainians, but it can’t. Ukraine is demonstrating what a country can achieve when there is determination. Our responsibility as friends and allies is clear: to help Ukraine remain resilient, to provide what is needed,” said Kristen Michal.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has praised the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine's right to choose its own future. He assured that Norway will continue to support Ukraine, announced assistance of over $9 billion next year, and announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Ukraine and Norway.
"We will help financially, economically, militarily - in accordance with Ukraine's priorities. Ukraine determines the needs, and we do everything possible to provide them. Supporting and rebuilding Ukraine is not just about aid, it is about investing in Europe's own security, and our commitment to Ukraine is long-term," Jonas Gar Stere added.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted that support for Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion is due not only to the fact that it is a model of courage - Ukraine is defending itself, Europe, and the values: democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
"The world looks at Ukraine and helps Ukraine for various reasons. And one of these reasons is that Russia violates all norms of international law. But the real reason why we help Ukraine is very simple. First, it is about the values that you defend: you defend democracy, freedom, the rule of law. And the second reason is that we believe that you are the strongest guarantee of security for all of us," Alexander Stubb emphasized.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda delivered a speech in Ukrainian. He emphasized that it was an honor for him to come to Kyiv again. The President noted the courage of the Ukrainians and assured of continued support for our country and Ukraine's accession to the European Union and NATO.
"We know perfectly well that Ukraine must win, because only your victory will bring peace and tranquility to all of Europe. Therefore, we will continue to support Ukraine. We do not recognize the occupation of Ukrainian territories, we will increase pressure on the aggressor state and its accomplices," said Gitanas Nasueda.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs emphasized that his country has been on Ukraine's side since the first day of the war, was one of the first to provide weapons and thousands of vehicles, and is now treating thousands of wounded and will help even more.
"Russia has stolen 5 out of 35 years of your freedom with its brutal war, 5 years already. You have proven with your blood and sweat that you are part of Europe. Together we will achieve peace in Ukraine. Latvia, the Latvian people are with you. I brought greetings today from each and every person from Latvia," said Andris Kulbergs.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted the criminal Russian attack on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih and the repeated attack when emergency services arrived to rescue the wounded. She said that support from Denmark and partners would continue as long as needed, including in new defense projects, including a European air defense system.
"We have known from the beginning that war cannot be won with words alone. When you needed weapons, ammunition, we supplied it. When you needed tanks and our F-16s, we supplied it. And when you needed investments in your own defense industry, we provided it. And now, when you urgently need strong air defense, we need to promise to provide it. We have jointly committed to making a new missile system as soon as possible in order to protect your cities and strengthen your air defense," said Mette Frederiksen.