On May 9, coinciding with Europe Day, the European Union flag was raised outside the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s integral role within the European family during his address to the nation.
The Ukrainian parliament’s press service reported on the ceremonial flag raising at Constitution Square, near the parliament building. Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk assured attendees that lawmakers and parliamentary leadership are committed to swiftly enacting necessary reforms to secure EU membership.
The flag was raised by Liliya Averyanova, the mother of fallen pilot Andriy “Dzhus” Pilshchikov, and 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv, who suffered severe burns covering 45% of his body due to a Russian missile strike in Vinnytsia in the summer of 2022.
Katarina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, participated in the ceremony and congratulated Ukrainians on Europe Day. She noted that the flag raised by Averyanova and Oleksiv symbolizes freedom, dignity, and peace.
“However, the stories of Romchyk and Liliya also embody what we value most in Ukraine and its people—more than any political slogan. He lost his mother, she lost her son, yet neither of them has given up,” the diplomat stated.
President Zelensky reiterated his greetings to Ukrainians on Europe Day, asserting that the celebration is not merely symbolic but a genuine acknowledgment of Ukraine’s status as an inseparable part of the European family.
“We defend Ukraine, our independence, our future, and in doing so, we protect our Europe, of which Ukraine has been and will continue to be a part. From the first days of the full-scale war until now, Europe has stood with Ukraine. This is not charity, but a conscious choice by Europeans to stand alongside the brave and strong Ukrainians who are fighting today for peace and true security against tyranny, not just for themselves, but for the entire continent,” he wrote in a Telegram post.
Joining Zelensky in his message was European Council President António Costa, who remarked that “the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people inspire us every day.”
“We stand with Ukraine in its fight for peace and in defense of our shared European values. Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union. We eagerly await the next steps in your accession process as soon as possible. Together, we are building a common European future,” the official added in a post on social media.
According to Presidential Decree No. 266/2023, issued on May 8, 2023, Ukraine celebrates Europe Day annually on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which initiated the formation of the European bloc.
Ukraine marked Europe Day with a flag-raising ceremony, highlighting its commitment to EU integration. President Zelensky and EU officials reaffirmed support for Ukraine amidst ongoing challenges.