Ukraine Hosts Flag Day Diplomacy

Ukraine marked National Flag Day on Aug. 23 with ceremonies, diplomatic meetings and international events focused on military support, resilience and cooperation, according to the official website of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska visited an interactive exhibition commemorating the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence. Zelenskyy also took part in a ceremony raising the blue-and-yellow flag at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex.

During meetings with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and James Lankford, Zelenskyy discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia and improving Ukraine’s air defense. At the Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic Eight summit in Kyiv, leaders addressed air and missile defense, energy-sector support, financial resilience and progress toward opening negotiating clusters.

Ukraine and Finland signed three memorandums on cooperation in developing land, maritime and air capabilities. Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also signed a defense and security cooperation agreement under the “drone deal” format, along with a joint declaration on a strategic partnership.

The summit concluded with a joint declaration by Ukraine and the Nordic and Baltic countries. Zelenskyy held separate meetings with leaders from Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Norway, while Zelenska participated in an international conference on resilience held as part of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.