UK set to hold ceremonies marking Ukraine’s 35th year of independence
The UK is holding ceremonies to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, underscoring continued British solidarity as the country fights against Russia's invasion. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and senior ministers are leading the tributes, with Westminster and Whitehall to be illuminated in Ukraine's blue and yellow colours, while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting attends a candle-lit event at London's Ukrainian Cathedral of the Holy Family.
Ukraine voted for independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Streeting said Putin's "illegal war" had tried and failed over more than a decade to destroy Ukraine's freedom, adding that Britain stands "proudly" with the country. Separately, the Prime Minister is due to chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of pro-Ukrainian nations, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to press Western allies to sustain aid and sanctions against Russia.
- UK marks Ukraine's 35th independence anniversary with ceremonies and lit landmarks
- Streeting and Burnham lead tributes affirming support against Russia's invasion
- PM to host Coalition of the Willing meeting with Macron and Merz
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The UK marking Ukraine's independence anniversary sits within a wider pattern of Western governments using symbolic dates to signal continued backing for Kyiv. Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and the anniversary has taken on added significance since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, as the country continues to fight to defend its territory and sovereignty.
Ceremonies of this kind typically involve government officials, diplomats and sometimes members of the Ukrainian community, and can include flag-raisings, speeches or moments of remembrance for those affected by the war. They are largely symbolic gestures rather than policy announcements, but are watched closely as indicators of how firmly allied governments continue to stand behind Ukraine.
The UK has been one of Ukraine's most vocal supporters since 2022, providing military, financial and diplomatic assistance. Marking this anniversary would fit into that broader relationship, though the specific details of any planned events, such as timing, location or attendees, are not yet confirmed.