Government buildings to fly Finnish and Ukrainian flags on 24 February
Ukraine and its people have been resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion for four years. The Finnish Government will show its solidarity with Ukraine by flying the Finnish and Ukrainian flags on the anniversary of the start of Russia’s war of aggression on 24 February 2026. The Government Palace, Merikasarmi, Helsinki Cathedral, the main building of the University of Helsinki and Helsinki City Hall will be illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine has caused immense destruction and suffering. Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace. Finland supports Ukraine’s independence, self-determination and territorial integrity. Ukraine and its people have the right and the freedom to choose their allies, partners and social order.
“Finland is committed to supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction, long‑term development and path towards membership of the European Union,” says Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
Finland has provided more than EUR 4 billion in support to Ukraine since 2022, including defence materiel, development cooperation assistance and humanitarian assistance. Ukraine is Finland’s biggest single partner country for development assistance and target country for humanitarian assistance. Finland has also delivered material assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland’s defence materiel assistance to Ukraine totals around EUR 3.2 billion. Finnish assistance is also helping address the damage to Ukraine’s energy sector and the resulting urgent needs of the civilian population.
Chance to show solidarity with Ukraine on February 24 at Helsinki’s Senate Square
A Light for Ukraine event will take place at Senate Square on Tuesday 24 February at 17.00 to show solidarity with Ukraine and commemorate the victims of the war. The event will last about half an hour. The Government will be represented by Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz and Minister of Science and Culture Mari‑Leena Talvitie.
Everyone is welcome to commemorate the victims of the war and to show their solidarity with Ukraine. You can light a candle on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral from 15.00 to 20.00.
The Light for Ukraine event is being organised by the Lutheran Church in Helsinki, Mothersforpeace, and the Ukrainian Association in Finland in collaboration with the City of Helsinki, the University of Helsinki, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Embassy of Ukraine.
The Government will show its solidarity with Ukraine by flying the Finnish and Ukrainian flags at the Government Palace and at Senate Square. Flags will be raised at Senate Square at 8.00 and lowered at 21.00, when the event there ends.
The Government Palace and Merikasarmi will be illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The Helsinki Parish Union and the University of Helsinki will illuminate Helsinki Cathedral and the University’s main building in the same colours. The City of Helsinki will light the Aleksanterinkatu side of City Hall in the colours of Ukraine’s flag. The Government Palace will be illuminated from Monday 23 February at 20.00 until Wednesday 25 February at 9.00. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ main building, Merikasarmi, will be illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on Tuesday 24 February between 15.00 and 24.00.
Inquiries: Tiina-Kaisa Laakso-Liukkonen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 220
The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected].