The National Flag of Ukraine was raised in a ceremonial ceremony in Kyiv
On August 23, the National Flag of Ukraine was ceremonially raised in Kyiv. The ceremony was attended by Ukrainian government officials and leaders from six European countries who had arrived in the capital on the eve of Independence Day.
The ceremony took place on Ukraine’s National Flag Day. In attendance were President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyy, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Pavlo Palisa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga, Minister of Defense Yevhen Khmara, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Ihor Klymenko, and Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Rustem Umerov.
Distinguished foreign guests also arrived in Kyiv. Among them were Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Steri.
The historic Independence Flag was present at the ceremony
During his speech, Zelenskyy noted that a special symbol was present in the capital that day—the historic flag known as the Flag of Independence. It was this very flag that was brought into the Verkhovna Rada in the first minutes after Ukraine’s declaration of independence on August 24, 1991. “Today is an important day, a day dedicated to our important Ukrainian symbol, our true talisman. It is a day of very strong emotion—it is the warmth you feel when you are at home or when, in any corner of the world, you recognize your own people and what is yours,” the president said.
He added that Ukrainians are united by two colors—blue and yellow. “You recognize this through the two colors of the Ukrainian heart and soul, to which this very day is dedicated—Ukrainian National Flag Day,” Zelenskyy noted.
Zelenskyy recalled how Ukrainians used to sew flags in secret
The president emphasized that just a few decades ago, the Ukrainian flag could not be used freely. According to him, 35 years ago, people often had to sew blue-and-yellow flags by hand and do so in secret. Zelenskyy also stated that Russia has not abandoned its quest to destroy Ukrainian independence.
“For Russia and Putin, our flag and the very existence of Ukraine have been the greatest source of irritation all this time. This concerns them far more than their own domestic issues and the problems of millions of Russians,” the head of state said.
He recalled Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in February 2022. “Russia has not abandoned these ambitions. Massive—truly massive—attacks, terror, and killings—all of this is driven by one man’s maniacal dream: that Ukraine should not exist. The Kremlin is obsessed with this, but in the end, it will lose precisely because of it,” Zelenskyy stated.
The flag was called a symbol of strength and freedom
The president emphasized that the blue and yellow colors have become a symbol not only of the state but also of Ukrainians, their courage, and their resilience. “Blue and yellow are the colors of Ukraine, the colors of our people, the colors of our courage,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the Ukrainian flag today is a symbol of strength, resilience, freedom, and the triumph of life. The president also extended special thanks to foreign leaders who traveled to Kyiv to join the celebrations.
When Is Flag Day Celebrated in Ukraine?
Ukraine’s National Flag Day is celebrated annually on August 23, the eve of Independence Day. The holiday was established by a presidential decree on August 23, 2004. Its purpose is to honor the history of Ukrainian statehood, the state symbols of independent Ukraine, and to foster respect for state symbols.
In 2009, amendments were made to the decree. Since then, an official flag-raising ceremony has been held in Ukraine every year on August 23. This year’s ceremony in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian leaders and European partners. It was one of the events leading up to the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence.
