Opened the National Military Cemetery: how the ceremony took place

On the Day of Remembrance for Defenders of Ukraine, the official opening of the National Military Memorial Cemetery took place. The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere and was attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal, and Minister for Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova.

The first five unknown defenders were buried on the territory of the memorial, and during the ceremony prayers were recited by chaplains of different confessions. The entire event was dedicated to the important symbolic significance of remembering the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

Head of the President's Office Andrii Yermak, along with the first deputy minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsia, held a meeting with US Special Envoy Donald Trump's Steve Vitkoff. During the meeting, a protest was expressed against the constant attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities and the issue of achieving peace in the region was discussed.

Ukraine is open to peaceful negotiations; however, the Russian side continuously complicates the acceptance of positive decisions. The necessity of pressure on Russia for achieving peace and conducting important high-level negotiations considering the interests of international security was noted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador in connection with the massive strikes by Russian troops on Ukrainian cities. Sweden expressed protest regarding the damage to civilian objects during the Russian attacks and called for the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The situation in Ukraine is tense, and the global community is responding to the active actions of the Russian side that violate the principles of international security.

Ukraine honored the memory of defenders with the opening of the National Military Memorial Cemetery and maintains a position of peace and stability in the region during negotiations with the US Special Envoy. Sweden also expressed support for Ukraine in the context of massive strikes from Russia, calling for the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.