Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas

08/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/24/2026 07:36

The President in Kyiv: The Ukrainian flags raised in Lithuania in 2022 are still flying today

On Sunday in Kyiv, President Gitanas Nausėda greeted participants of the Ukrainian Flag Day ceremony and all the people of Ukraine.

"It is an honor for me to return to Kyiv-the city of truth, courage, and hope. The spirit of freedom I feel here is unlike anywhere else. The example of self-sacrifice you demonstrate every day is especially close to the people of Lithuania. We know very well the price of freedom. We know how painful it is to lose it and how much effort it takes to regain it," the President addressed the ceremony in the Ukrainian language.

Gitanas Nausėda recalled February 2022, when he visited Kyiv together with the then President of Poland Andrzej Duda, one day before Russia launched its full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. The unwavering determination of the Ukrainian people, their will to fight and never give up, left an indelible impression.

"During those terrible days, the whole of Lithuania united to help Ukraine and its people. The streets of our cities were filled with Ukrainian flags. It was a sight I have never witnessed anywhere else. The flags raised 42 months ago are still flying today," the President spoke.

The Lithuanian leader underscored that only Ukraine's victory can bring peace and stability to the whole of Europe. That is why Lithuania will continue to stand with Ukraine, will never recognize the occupation of its territories, and continue to increase pressure on the aggressor state and its accomplices. Lithuania will also help Ukraine on its path to membership in the European Union and NATO, and when the war ends, will help Ukraine rebuild its destroyed schools, hospitals, and power plants.

President Gitanas Nausėda called on all Ukrainians to be proud of their country, as well as each other's strength, perseverance, and determination.

"I believe that soon we will be able to celebrate together the victory over darkness. A victory that will not only be Ukraine's victory, but of all free Europe," Gitanas Nausėda spoke, wishing all Ukrainian people happy upcoming Independence Day.
Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas published this content on August 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 24, 2026 at 13:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]