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Marking Ukraine's Independence Day on Monday, Warsaw saw many Poles join celebrations held under the shadow of the ongoing war with Russia.
Observed every August 24, Ukraine's Independence Day commemorates the 1991 vote by the Supreme Council in Kyiv to formally secede from the Soviet Union.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski used the occasion to highlight Poland's early recognition of Ukrainian statehood, noting that Warsaw was the first country in the world to do so, on the same day as Canada.
"I pay tribute to the heroes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for so effectively standing up to Putin's aggression," he wrote on X, warning that "Russian imperialism poses a threat to all of Europe."
In Berlin, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered at Potsdamer Platz to mark their Independence Day, celebrating the 35th anniversary before marching toward Pariser Platz.
Demonstrators carried Ukrainian flags and placards reading "Free Ukrainian prisoners of war," "Silence kills," "Our independence, our freedom, our struggle," "Defending Ukraine means defending Europe," "Don't close your eyes to the war" and "Us today, you tomorrow."
Calling for continued support for Ukraine and for Germany to supply long-range Taurus missiles, the protesters chanted slogans against Russia. Some Ukrainians took part wearing their country's traditional dress.
Istanbul's Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was also lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on Monday evening to mark the country's Independence Day.
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