President Maia Sandu is in Kyiv, Ukraine, today, as Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its independence, TRIBUNA reports.

“I am in Kyiv to stand alongside the Ukrainian people. For four and a half years, Ukrainians have been defending their country, and through their courage they are defending peace across the entire continent. Moldova is living in peace also thanks to this courage.

Today, I have the honor of awarding the Order of the Republic to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his exceptional contribution to defending peace and freedom on the European continent, and as a sign of the gratitude of the Moldovan people for the courage of the Ukrainian people.

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Slava Ukraini!” Maia Sandu said.