“The flag of an independent, flourishing Ukraine proudly flies alongside the flags of other European countries and has now become a global symbol of freedom and bravery. Your rightful place is within a united and free Europe,” stated Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 24 August, marking the Independence Day of Ukraine, during a commemorative ceremony organised by the Baltic Cooperation Group and the Nordic Ukraine Forum in the Norrmalmstorg Square in Stockholm.

On Ukrainian Independence Day, speakers of the Baltic and Nordic Parliaments gathered at the symbolic location where solidarity manifestations were previously held to support the Baltic peoples in their struggle for freedom. In the early 1990s, Swedish civil society assembled in Norrmalmstorg every Monday to show support for the Baltic States’ independence aspirations. Currently, rallies in support of Ukraine are held here on Mondays.

“During that time, when people in the Baltic States literally stood shoulder to shoulder, unarmed against the Soviet regime, aware from their own history of its immense violence and brutality, it seemed that the Soviet empire would eventually crumble. It is only now, on the battlefields of Ukraine, that the Soviet empire is finally collapsing. Russia's cruelty is clear for everyone to see—it kills, rapes, and destroys,” said Smiltēns, underscoring the importance of remembering the victims and holding Russia fully accountable for the crimes of aggression and atrocities committed.

“We honour Ukrainians and their resilience, strength, and courage as they pay the ultimate price for their freedom and also for our collective European security and values. Our political, military, financial, and humanitarian assistance will persist. Because the security of Ukraine is our security. Because the freedom of Ukraine is our freedom. Because the victory of Ukraine is our victory,” emphasised Smiltēns.

We share in every Ukrainian achievement and mourn each Ukrainian life lost as if they were our own people. “This is true fellowship. We not only see, but also empathise. We not only know, but also understand. This is because, as a nation, we have lived through this in our own history,” conveyed Smiltēns.

The Speaker of the Saeima is on a visit to the Kingdom of Sweden from 23 to 25 August, where he is participating in the meeting of the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) parliament speakers.

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Saeima Press Service