Flags to be flown on Government buildings on 24 February in support of Ukraine

Friday 24 February marks the one-year anniversary of Russia starting its full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish Government will show its support to Ukraine by flying the Finnish and Ukrainian flags on 24 February.

The Finnish state flag will be flown on the main flagpoles by the Government Palace and Merikasarmi. The Ukrainian flag will be flown at Senate Square in front of the Government Palace and on the line of flags at the square in front of Merikasarmi. The Finnish and Ukrainian flags will be flown on other Government buildings. Flags will be flown at the Government Palace and Senate Square until 20.00 at the closing of the event at Senate Square. Flags will be flown also on the main building of the University of Helsinki at Senate Square.

Anyone can raise a flag in support of Ukraine. The flag can be the Finnish flag, the Ukrainian flag or both. It is customary to show the flag of another country the same respect as the Finnish flag. The Ministry of the Interior recommends that people follow the same principles as with flying the Finnish flag. Flags are to be raised at 8.00 in the morning and lowered at sunset.

When the flags of both Finland and Ukraine are raised on adjacent poles, the Finnish flag is placed on the left side as seen by the viewer, which in heraldry is considered the side of greater honour.

Inquiries:
Aino Tuovinen, Specialist, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 295 488 317, [email protected]
Tiina-Kaisa Laakso-Liukkonen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 220, [email protected]