The flag of Ukraine will fly outside many official buildings across Finland on Thursday in honour of Ukrainian Independence Day.
In a press release, the Finnish government said Ukraine's flag will be hoisted onto flagpoles in Senate Square in the capital as well as at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ main building Merikasarmi.
This building will also be illuminated in blue and yellow on Thursday evening.
"The government wants to show its support for and solidarity with Ukraine, which is fighting for its independence and territorial integrity," the government press release stated.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) and Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) are also scheduled to take part in an event organised by the Lutheran Parish Union of Helsinki, the Ukrainian Association in Finland and Mothersforpeace called 'United for Ukraine – United for Peace.'
PM Orpo made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Wednesday for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war, the rebuilding of Ukraine, as well as continued bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Orpo also reaffirmed Finland's support for Ukraine.
"The people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom and for our shared values. Ukraine belongs in the West – in the European Union and Nato," Orpo said.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö also sent his Independence Day wishes to Zelensky and the Ukrainian people via a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
"Finland’s support to Ukraine remains unwavering as you courageously continue to defend your freedom," Niinistö wrote.
Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho also took to X to voice his congratulations.
"On behalf of the Eduskunta [Finnish Parliament] and myself, I congratulate the people, the leaders and the soldiers of Ukraine on their national day. Justice will prevail, filth will be washed away," Halla-aho wrote.
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