The Ukrainian Flag Is a Flag of Strength, Resilience, Freedom, and the Victory of Life – President on Ukraine's National Flag Day
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Ukraine's National Flag Day and took part in the ceremony of raising the blue-and-yellow flag on the grounds of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex.
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 Kulbergs, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, and Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, as well as Ukraine’s military and political leadership and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The Head of State thanked everyone who, on such an important day for us, is in Kyiv, with our people and on our side.
“Today is an important day – the day of our important Ukrainian symbol, our true guardian, a day of a very powerful emotion. It is the warmth you feel when you are at home – or when, anywhere in the world, you recognize your own people and what is yours by two colors – the colors of the Ukrainian heart and soul, to which this day is dedicated. Ukraine's National Flag Day,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President presented the historic flag – the very one that was carried into the Verkhovna Rada on August 24, 1991, in the first moments after the restoration of Ukraine’s independence.
“And this is not merely a symbolic gesture or a beautiful display. It is about Ukrainians’ ability to preserve what is theirs and not be afraid. Seventy years of Soviet rule did not erase our people’s memory of which flag was the true flag of all of us, of all Ukrainians. Knowledge of this national symbol was preserved from the Cossack era and the Ukrainian People’s Republic all the way to that very day in 1991,” the Head of State noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that our enemies have always feared the Ukrainian flag: it was banned, and people were punished for it. Our Ukrainian flag, just like our independence, has irritated Russia for decades. That is why, in 2014, the aggressor state occupied Crimea and part of Donbas, and in 2022 launched its full-scale invasion. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian leader has still not abandoned his desire to destroy Ukraine, which is why he continues the war, massive strikes, terror, and killings.
“For us, life without Ukraine is not life, and Ukraine in captivity is not an option. That is why all Ukrainians fight even harder. They do not surrender their country. They defend their independence, they defend Ukraine and all of Europe – and they do it in such a way that today everyone, both in Europe and around 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, resilience, freedom, and the victory of life,” the President said.
The Head of State thanked everyone defending Ukraine and called for remembering all those who gave their lives in this struggle for our country. Those present honored the memory of the fallen warriors with a moment of silence.
Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal congratulated Ukrainians on Ukraine's National Flag Day and Independence Day. He emphasized that Estonia knows the value of national symbols and that precisely because they represent freedom for the people, no bans or persecution could stop them.
“Russia continues its strikes because it still thinks it can break Ukrainians, but that is impossible. Ukraine demonstrates what a country can achieve when there is determination. Our responsibility as friends and allies is clear: to help Ukraine remain resilient and provide what is needed,” Kristen Michal said. > Александр Кондратенко: Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre noted the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. He assured that Norway would continue to support Ukraine, announced more than $9 billion in assistance for next year, and announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Ukraine and Norway.
“We will provide financial, economic, and military assistance – in line with Ukraine’s priorities. Ukraine determines its needs, and we do everything possible to meet them. Supporting and rebuilding Ukraine is not only about assistance; it is an investment in Europe’s own security, and our commitment to Ukraine is long-term,” Jonas Gahr Støre added.
President of Finland Alexander Stubb noted that support for Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion is driven not only by the fact that Ukraine is an example of courage – Ukraine is defending itself, Europe, and the values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
“The world is watching Ukraine and helping Ukraine for different reasons. And one of those reasons is that Russia is violating every norm of international law. But the real reason why we are helping Ukraine is very simple. First, it is about the values you are defending: you are defending democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. And the second reason is that we believe you are the strongest security guarantee for all of us,” Alexander Stubb emphasized.
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda delivered his remarks in Ukrainian. He emphasized that it was an honor for him to return to Kyiv. The President praised the courage of Ukrainians and reaffirmed continued support for our country and for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO.
“We know very well that Ukraine must win, because only your victory will bring peace and security to all of Europe. That is why we will continue to support Ukraine. We will not recognize the occupation of Ukrainian territories, and we will increase pressure on the aggressor state and its accomplices,” Gitanas Nausėda said.
Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs emphasized that his country has stood with Ukraine since the first day of the war, was among the first to provide weapons and thousands of vehicles, and is now treating thousands of wounded Ukrainians and will do even more to help.
“Russia has stolen five of the 35 years of your freedom through its brutal war – five years already. Through your blood and sweat, you have proven that you are part of Europe. Together, we will achieve peace in Ukraine. Latvia and the Latvian people stand with you. Today, I bring greetings from every man and woman in Latvia,” Andris Kulbergs said.
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen emphasized Russia’s criminal strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih and the subsequent double-tap strike after emergency services arrived to rescue the wounded. According to her, support from Denmark and its partners will continue for as long as necessary, including through new defense projects, among them a European air defense system.
“We have known from the very beginning that a war cannot be won with words alone. When you needed weapons and ammunition, we supplied them. When you needed tanks and our F-16s, we supplied them. And when you needed investment in your own defense industry, we provided it. And now, when you urgently need strong air defense, we must commit to providing it. Together, we have committed to developing a new missile system as quickly as possible to protect your cities and strengthen your air defense,” Mette Frederiksen said.