Ukraine marks 35 years of independence

Today, August 24, Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of independence, under the conditions of the war launched by the Russian Federation. On this day, in Kyiv as well as in other cities across Ukraine, the fallen heroes of the war are commemorated. European leaders are gathering today in the Ukrainian capital to reconfirm their support for the Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian authorities are not organizing large-scale military parades or mass events this year, for security reasons. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has warned the population to be particularly cautious on the eve and on Independence Day, as Russia could take advantage of public events for attacks, provocations, or acts of sabotage.

Ukraine is going through very difficult trials and, more than anyone, wants peace, but this peace must be just and lasting, Ukraine’s ambassador to Chișinău Paun Rohovei said.


“Ukraine is indeed going through, just as the Republic of Moldova did in the 1990s, very hard and difficult trials. In fact, we are resisting in a struggle with an aggressor, the Russian Federation, which has set itself the goal of destroying statehood and destroying the Ukrainian nation. Kremlin believed it would fight a weak army and succeed in three days, as they said then. They did not understand one thing: that they would not be fighting an army, they would be fighting an entire people, a people with dignity, who knows its history, roots, and culture, a people with deep spiritual roots that has created its own vision of its future.

All these plans from Kremlin, starting with the aggression and ending with the destruction of statehood, have failed. The attacks that have intensified in recent years have not led to what Moscow expected, the collapse of the spirit, but on the contrary, have made the Ukrainian people even more resilient. We manage to cope because we understand very well what we are fighting for.

We want peace more than anyone, but a lasting peace and a just peace,” said Paun Rohovei.


On Ukraine’s National Day, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova will host the opening of the documentary and photo exhibition “Rebirth in Glory and Power”, dedicated to the Ukrainian cultural and spiritual heritage affected by the war.

The exhibition presents churches, monasteries, and other sacred heritage sites in Ukraine that have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian military aggression. The photographs and documents on display reflect the scale of the damage inflicted on Ukraine’s cultural and spiritual heritage, as well as the efforts to preserve and restore it.

The event is organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova, in cooperation with the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” and the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.

The Republic of Moldova has condemned the Russian military aggression against Ukraine from the very first day and has declared its support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. Since the beginning of the war, the Republic of Moldova has also provided support to Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to leave their country because of the war.

From the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion until now, more than one million Ukrainian citizens have entered the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and the country has temporarily hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees. Moldova has been one of the main transit and host countries for people fleeing the war, with the authorities mobilizing state institutions, local administrations, international organizations, and civil society to provide them with support.

The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have chosen the path of European integration. Both countries obtained the status of EU candidate countries in 2022 and officially opened accession negotiations in 2024. For the two states, European integration represents a strategic objective, linked to the consolidation of democracy, security, economy and state institutions.

European leaders gather in Kyiv

An important moment of the day is the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine, made up of states that support Kyiv in its defense efforts. The meeting takes place today, August 24, at 13:00, in a hybrid format, with some leaders present in Kyiv and others participating via videoconference, according to Agerpres.

The meeting is co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and for the first time, the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. According to the Élysée Palace, around ten of the participants, including the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, are in Kyiv for the ceremonies marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.

The agenda of the meeting includes strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, in the context of Russian attacks and the need to increase stocks of interceptor missiles.

The leaders are also expected to reaffirm their determination to increase pressure on Russia and to continue coordinating measures designed to reduce the resources available to Moscow to finance the war. A distinct topic is the so-called “ghost fleet” used by Russia to transport hydrocarbons in defiance of international sanctions.

The discussions will also focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, in view of a “just, robust and lasting” peace.

Ukraine’s Independence Day is marked annually on August 24. In 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Supreme Rada in Kyiv adopted the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. This year, the 35th anniversary is being marked in the context of the fifth year of the large-scale war waged by Ukraine against Russian aggression.