European Leaders Arrive in Kyiv Ahead of Independence Day
On the morning of August 23, leaders from six European nations arrived in Kyiv to take part in commemorations for Ukraine’s Flag Day and Independence Day, as well as high-level diplomatic meetings. According to Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andri Sybiha greeted the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway at the Kyiv railway station. “On the eve of Independence Day, we feel that we are not alone. Our allies are by our side,” Sybiha wrote on X, adding that leaders would hold bilateral and multilateral talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda had arrived earlier and announced his participation in the events on X. He outlined his plans to take part in events marking Flag Day and Independence Day, meet with President Zelensky, and join discussions with Nordic and Baltic allies, as well as a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. “Lithuania stands with Ukraine today — as it celebrates its national holidays — and always,” Nausėda wrote.
Other arriving leaders offered their own messages of support. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, reporting from X, highlighted the shared history of Estonia and Ukraine restoring their independence 35 years ago. “Putin hopes that time is on his side. Our task is to prove him wrong,” Michal wrote, adding that Ukraine must have everything necessary to defend itself. Finnish President Alexander Stubb arrived for a two-day visit with his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, and a delegation including Commander of Defense Forces Janne Jaakkola and entrepreneurs, as reported by Kyiv Post citing YLE. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs emphasized Latvia’s determination to help Ukraine prepare for the upcoming winter, per BB.lv. Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, according to Kyiv Post, condemned recent Russian strikes, stating Russia does not distinguish between civilian and military targets and violates international law.
NB8 Summit: Defense Deals and Aid Pledges
The Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) summit in Kyiv on August 23 brought together the leaders of Ukraine, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Norway, with Sweden joining online, as reported by Ukrinform. During the summit, President Zelensky announced a significant new defense agreement: Ukraine and Norway signed a Defense Technology Cooperation Agreement, described as a “Drone Deal.” “Today we have a Drone Deal — a strategic document with Norway,” Zelensky said, stressing that such agreements should be concluded with every country in Europe. According to Zelensky, during the summit, a number of countries announced humanitarian and military aid packages, and separate agreements were reached on the amount of support to be provided to Ukraine next year.
President Nausėda, speaking after the summit, outlined Lithuania’s ongoing commitment: “Lithuania will continue to allocate at least 0.25% of its GDP annually to support Ukraine, help strengthen its air defense, and support its path toward EU membership.” He emphasized that he would not let down President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people, and that the annual support would be at least 0.25% of GDP. He also acknowledged Ukraine’s combat experience, saying that Lithuania, being located next to Belarus and Russia, understands the daily pressures of illegal migration and drones or weather balloons, and that cooperation with Ukraine helps his country better meet these challenges.
On EU integration, Nausėda called it a “long-term security guarantee for Ukraine.” He stressed that Ukraine should implement reforms and achieve “interim benchmarks” to convince skeptics in the EU, and noted the importance of Moldova and Ukraine moving forward side by side. Lithuania is due to assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year, and has already opened two of six negotiating clusters with Ukraine, according to Ukrinform.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed the sentiment that European security starts and ends with Ukraine. “The only way we can protect our own countries now and our own citizens is by standing together with Ukraine,” she said. She stressed that Europe and the US must understand that supporting Ukraine is necessary for their own protection, that Russia’s full-scale war has fundamentally changed European security thinking, and that the continent must rearm. She also said Ukraine should join both the EU and NATO, citing Ukraine’s battlefield experience and willingness to die for its beliefs as valuable lessons. At the summit, leaders discussed strengthening air and missile defense, and many European countries are interested in Ukraine’s expertise in drone warfare, as that field is central to the future of modern combat.
Frederiksen also spoke in favor of providing more Patriot systems to Ukraine, noting Kyiv’s severe lack of air defense. “Should we try to convince some of our partners to donate more Patriot systems? Yes,” she said. “Because the need is so, I mean, it’s so clear that we don’t have air defense” (as quoted by Ukrinform). She also warned that Russia’s war is not confined to Ukraine, as Moscow seeks to influence Europe’s future and borders.
Security Threats and Preparedness
Beyond the summit’s declarations, President Nausėda raised concerning risks during a press conference. According to Ukrinform, Nausėda warned of a risk of false flag operations in the future, with critical infrastructure as a primary target. “I believe our intelligence shows show we have to remain vigilant, as a risk of false flag operations being carried out in the future. And the primary target is critical infrastructure,” he said. He argued that ensuring energy independence is vitally important, citing projects like in the LNG terminal in Klaipėda and electricity grid synchronized with continental Europe.
Nausėda recalled that Lithuania shares a 680-kilometer border with Belarus and a 120-kilometer border with the Kaliningrad region, making it vulnerable. “The likelihood something could happen—hybrid activity, illegal migration, kinetic operations against us—is indeed very high,” he repeated. He noted that Lithuania is developing capabilities to detect, intercept, and destroy drones, an area where cooperation with Ukraine is essential.
The warning came amid a broader context of concern over Russian hybrid tactics, echoing as well as the Norwegian PM’s condemnation of civilian strikes, as well intergovernmental efforts to address the security landscape.
United4Ukraine with Ukraine on the Eve
Beyond the official summit, Ukrainian officials continued to underscore the need for sustained support. Venkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Functions met with a delegation from the global network of parliamentarians United for Ukraine (U4U) on the eve of Independence Day, according to Ukrinform. Stefanchuk thanked U4U for years of consistent assistance, reporting the meeting on Facebook. “The main request today is not to stop. Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, and therefore support, political pressure on the aggressor, and assistance to Ukraine would continue,” he said.
Stefanchuk highlighted Ukraine’s critical need for air and missile defense systems, continued support for the energy sector, and progress toward full EU membership. He also expressed gratitude to those who remain by Ukraine side across the country as multiple heads of state and government arrived in Kyiv for the occasion.