National Day Message from Mr Viktor Semenov, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Thailand
On 24 August, Ukraine marks 35 years since it restored its independence. A young state of an ancient nation, Ukraine is known today throughout the world for its people and their freedom, or "volia," as we call it in Ukraine.
Ukraine has long been a land of remarkable talent. From writers of the past, such as Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka, to scientists who transformed entire fields of human knowledge: Ihor Sikorsky, the legendary aviation pioneer who invented the world's first mass-produced helicopter; Serhii Korolyov, the chief designer behind the Soviet space programme, and Volodymyr Vernadsky, one of the founders of modern bio- and geochemistry.
Since independence, that same talent has continued to shine. Andriy Shevchenko carried Ukrainian football to its highest individual honour, the Ballon d'Or. A Boxer, Oleksandr Usyk, became an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Today, the world also knows the remarkable talent of Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov, the director of the documentaries "20 Days in Mariupol" and "2000 Meters to Andriivka", as well as the courage and leadership of Brigadier General Denys Prokopenko, one of Ukraine's most prominent commanders. These names, and many more, across centuries and very different fields, demonstrate the same extraordinary talent and the same aspiration for freedom and progress.
Unfortunately, it is precisely these peaceful and talented people that have spent a third of the modern history of independent Ukraine fighting for its right to exist as a separate nation. This year, the anniversary falls in the fifth year of Russia's full-scale military invasion, and the thirteenth year of Russian armed aggression against our state. That is why the 35th anniversary of independence carries such profound meaning for every Ukrainian. Independence is not something we take for granted. It is something we fight for every single day.
You can see that in simple, everyday facts. Our energy workers restore the grid after every strike. Farmers continue to cultivate the land and Ukrainian grain, sunflower oil and other agricultural products still reach markets around the world, including Thailand. Teachers educate children in shelters, often after sleepless nights spent under air attacks. Medics and rescuers save lives, risking their own. Our defence industry works day and night to produce the means to defend our country. And, at the same time, Ukrainians continue to live their lives: finding happiness in everyday moments, going to work and cafés, making plans and building families.
Despite all the difficulties, Ukrainian people continue to move forward. This strength, I believe, comes from what Time magazine called "the spirit of Ukraine" in 2022.
It brings me great joy that with every year of our independence, Ukraine is becoming better known and better understood in Thailand. We are actively developing our bilateral cooperation, and our Embassy is carrying out more and more initiatives that help the Thai people to discover Ukraine.
We are grateful to the Kingdom of Thailand for supporting our efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine in the international arena, in particular for its support of the UNGA resolution "Supporting Lasting Peace in Ukraine" of 24 February 2026. In June 2026, Thailand took part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, one of the key events dedicated to the reconstruction of my state. Thailand joined the outcome document of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Tokyo. It also supports the PCO-Ukraine demining project, which is designed to help return Ukrainian farmland to safe use.
I would also like to express my gratitude for the humanitarian assistance provided by the Government of Thailand. This support is deeply appreciated by Ukrainians.
We are interested in further intensification of our bilateral political dialogue. Active work is underway to establish the Thailand-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, which will provide a regular channel for dialogue between lawmakers on both sides.
Earlier this month, we saw the great interest of the Thai public at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, where we held the Second Ukrainian Film Festival for the second year in a row. Journalists, officials, members of parliament and members of the public filled the room. During the days of general screenings, many ordinary people came simply to learn more about Ukrainian cinema and explore our culture. That tells us interest in Ukraine here has grown well beyond a small circle of specialists.
We will keep working in this dimension, bringing more of Ukrainian culture to Thailand.
We also pay significant attention to developing our economic relations. Because of Russia's full-scale invasion, trade with the Kingdom of Thailand has declined. Nevertheless, despite the war, we are determined to grow our trade turnover. This year, the Thai-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce was launched, giving businesses on both sides a direct way to connect. We are also exploring the possibility of holding the first meeting of a Joint Trade Commission at government level.
The biggest opportunity is still ahead of us. Ukraine's reconstruction needs are estimated at close to 600 billion USD over the next decade. We are already working on the reconstruction of our country, which brings benefits both to Ukraine and to our foreign partners. I hope that, in the near future, we will welcome Thai companies to Ukraine's reconstruction projects.
On behalf of the Embassy, I would like to congratulate all Ukrainians in Thailand on the 35th Independence Day and to thank the Thai Government, parliamentarians, businesses and ordinary Thai citizens, who have supported my country and contributed to bringing our two countries closer over the years. We have a great potential for cooperation and look forward to further strengthening our ties and celebrating many more anniversaries together with our friends in the Kingdom of Thailand.
