At the beginning of the ceremony on occasion of the National Flag Day of Ukraine, Ukrainian ambassador to Russia Volodymyr Yelchenko congratulated all participants on this holiday. Then the flag was solemnly raised during the performance of the National Anthem of Ukraine.
"Starting from 2004, it has become a good tradition to bestow honors to one of Ukraine’s main symbols - the national flag of Ukraine on the eve of celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine," Yelchenko said.
According to him, for Ukrainians, the colors of the national flag symbolize the centuries-old dream of freedom, gaining of the sovereignty and unification of the Ukrainian lands.
Yelchenko noted that in relatively short time, Ukraine managed to take its rightful place in the international arena, and the Ukrainian flag "waves in front of the headquarters of many influential international organizations. Under this flag, Ukrainian peacekeepers fulfill honorably tasks on maintenance of peace and law order in many countries of the world."
He noted that an integral part of strengthening of the Ukrainian state is a support of friendly relations with neighboring countries, especially with its strategic partner - the Russian Federation. According to Yelchenko, the joint efforts can help to "achieve the significant results in the bilateral cooperation."
The embassy staff, representatives of the National Cultural Centre of Ukraine in Moscow, the Ukrainian public organizations of Russia and the Ukrainian media participated in the ceremony.
