By Peter Tase, Berat/Çikgo
On August 24th, 2026 Ukraine celebrated the 35th anniversary of its independence. This historic milestone is commemorated at a time when the White House, only ten days later (on September 5th, 2026) announced that President Trump´s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner positively tackled in Moscow a substantive path to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. On a simultaneous fashion France is actively supporting the Ukrainian economy and Armed Forces.
Ukraine’s independence anniversary is of particular importance at a time when Ukraine is forced to strongly defend its territorial sovereignty as it is recognized by the international community.
Four and a half years after the start of Russia’s large-scale aggression and more than 12 years after the illegal annexation of Crimean Ukrainian people continue to defend its freedom, sovereignty and European future, and nations such as France, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy constantly reaffirm their support and solidarity.
Despite the brutal destruction and human suffering, Ukraine continues to hold out. Its population and armed forces are showing remarkable determination, courage and resistance to defend their country. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine are non-negotiable and represent the principal for European regional security structure and economic resilience posture.
Together with its international allies, Ukraine and its Defence Intelligence Force (DIU) are actively taking action to bolster military technology arsenal, maintain international mobilization in favor of Ukraine and prepare the conditions for a just and lasting peace.
The Coalition of the Willing, led by France alongside the United Kingdom, an alliance bringing together 35 countries with the goal of providing Ukraine with robust military technology, is further consolidating the international posture of Ukraine and helping shape lasting security guarantees.
The United States and its European partners, including France and other European nations, are maintaining a constant communication channel for diplomatic engagement so that European and transatlantic alliance is intact and play a geopolitical role pertaining to the security and the future of Ukraine. The Coalition of the Willing is a political initiative launched on 17 February 2025 by France and the United Kingdom, and today brings together 35 countries, mainly European but not exclusively so.
In the backdrop of Russian invasion of Ukraine, since its very first weeks in 2022, France supplied weapons and protective equipment to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Force and its heroic armed forces. European Union nations have supported the build-up of Ukrainian capabilities with armored vehicles, Caesar howitzers, air defence systems, radar systems and cutting-edge missiles. The French Government has always wanted to provide “complete round” assistance, consisting of a set of weapons or system delivered with ammunition, training on how to use, and appropriate maintenance. Paris has also supplied Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft, the first of which were delivered in early 2025.
As Ukraine celebrates its 35th anniversary of independence, such a historic milestone of Ukrainian society is genuinely complemented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris, on November 2025, on this occasion France and Ukraine signed a declaration of intent on the acquisition of new French military equipment, namely Rafale fighter aircraft, air defence systems, munitions and drones’ technology. The strategic support provided by the Administration of President Emmanuel Macron is part of a wider alliance in defense of Kyiv and entire territory of Ukraine, an effective effort established by the European Union and its Member States.
Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the EU and its Member States have provided Ukraine with more than €200 billion in assistance, particularly for revitalization of its economy, population, health system, infrastructures and defense. In 2024, the European Union set up a Ukraine Facility for €50 billion, an instrument that aims to support Ukraine until 2027, particularly its reconstruction and necessary reforms for its accession to the European Union.
In 2026, in response to the growing financial needs of Ukraine, Brussels set forth a support loan of €90 billion to provide the country with budgetary and military assistance for the 2026-2027 period. This loan is divided into two segments: around €60 billion for defence and around €30 billion for support to the functioning of the Ukrainian State. Since February 2022, France has organized 35 medical evacuations from Ukraine. These evacuations have made it possible to treat 189 wounded Ukrainian soldiers and 40 Ukrainian children suffering from cancer.
France has also hosted a substantial number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war. On March 18th 2025, more than 109,000 people had been granted temporary protection in France. More than 20,000 Ukrainian children have joined the French education system and some 2,000 students enrolled in higher education.
French solidarity consists also in the fight against impunity and support for a prosperous Ukrainian economic future by emerging as the nation with the largest number of companies, headquartered in the Ukrainian territory, employing over thirty thousand Ukrainian citizens. By consolidating Kyiv´s labor economy it also means a faster integration and accession to the European Union.
France firmly supports Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union. After being granted candidate status in 2022 and the opening of accession negotiations in 2024, Ukraine has completed further significant steps in 2026.
On July 14th, 2026, another milestone was reached with the opening of the Cluster 6 accession negotiations on external relations, particularly foreign, security and defence policy. They attest to the efforts made by Ukraine to continue reforms despite the ongoing war with Russia.
These historic advances crush the Russian distorted narrative and myth in reference to the “impossibility of Ukrainian governance”, Russian information warfare promotes the discourse that Ukrainians are “not capable of governing the state on their own,” by distorting historical facts.
Moscow is using history to emphasize false narratives about the artificial nature of Ukraine’s borders and the need to “encompass the lands,” while ignoring the reality of direct military intervention and occupation. Russian administration is discrediting Ukrainian historical figures who fought for independence. Memorable historic events of Ukraine are often portrayed in a distorted manner, emphasizing disorder and an era of medieval warlordism while erasing heroic resistance and achievements in the process of Ukrainian state-building (including the Battle of Kruty, the Act of Unification, the struggle of the OUN-UPA, the “Executed Renaissance,” etc.).
The economic integration strategy and multifaceted support towards the Government of Ukraine reflects unbridled willingness of the European Union to support Ukraine on its path to accession. The future of Ukraine is in the European Union. France has historically advocated and will continue to support Ukraine on its path to EU integration.
On September 7th, 2026, Ukraine celebrates its Defense Intelligence Day (Military Intelligence Day). This commemoration day was established in 2022, and its foundation date is linked to the creation in 1992 of the Directorate of Military Strategic Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The history of Ukrainian military intelligence began after Ukraine declared its independence. In February 1992, took shape the establishment of the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On September 7 of that year, pursuant to a presidential decree, was founded the Directorate of Military Strategic Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense.
In July 1993, the formation of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine began on the basis of two intelligence structures. In April 1994, it was renamed the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR).
In 2001, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law “On the Intelligence Agencies of Ukraine,” which granted the GUR the status of a special state authority. And on September 7th, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Day, which is celebrated annually on this very day. Furthermore, this year 2026 marks the 34th anniversary of the establishment of the Directorate of Military Strategic Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Ukraine´s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) conducts intelligence activities in the military and defense spheres, as well as in the fields of military development, military-technical affairs, and cybersecurity. One of the key tasks of intelligence is to provide government and military leadership with the information necessary for decision-making and countering external threats in a timely manner.
During the full-scale war against Russian Occupation Forces, the work of intelligence officers goes far beyond the collection and analysis of information. GUR patriotic units carry out combat and special missions, conduct operations against Russian military targets, and actively operate in occupied territories and behind enemy lines.
The day of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine is a national holiday that symbolizes the invisible yet incredibly important work of those who ensure the country’s security every day, gather classified information about the Russian military forces occupying Ukrainian sovereign territory and lay the foundation for successful special operations. On this special day, Ukrainian intelligence officers are honored for their bravery, professionalism, and dedication to the state as they risk their lives carrying out the most complex missions both on the front lines and behind enemy lines. Their achievements serve as examples of heroism, skill, and commitment to the country.
Furthermore, Ukrainian special forces from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) have repeatedly carried out risky landings on the Crimean coastline. On August 24th, 2023, they carried out a successful military operation in the Tarkhankut area, destroying equipment and around 30 enemy soldiers, while raising the Ukrainian flag without suffering any losses. On July 28, 2024, a group of intelligence officers landed on the Tendrivska Spit, destroying the EW complex “Zont” and the radar system “Rosa,” embodying a powerful symbolic patriotic significance. Ukrainian intelligence officers are the first in the world to use FPV drones in open waters: on September 11, 2024, the Raven Group unit attacked Russian positions on the “Petro Hodyvanyts” platform, destroying equipment and personnel.
Ukrainian special operations exemplify a new kind of warfare: high-tech, flexible, and precise, capable of dismantling Russian myths about Crimea’s “impermeability,” disabling air defense systems and the maritime fleet, weakening the occupation authorities, and inspiring Ukrainians. Crimea is Ukraine, and the actions of Ukrainian intelligence officers make this fact a reality every single day.
The 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, revives once again the important role that the Government of Ukraine plays for preserving and safeguarding the European Security in the eastern flanks, defending Ukraine´s statehood and democratic values of the entire continent, while its future EU membership and lasting peace require shared responsibility and justice.
For over four years of full-scale war, Ukraine has been holding back the aggressor, safeguarding peace and stability from the Atlantic to the Urals. In the past 35 years, Ukraine’s independence has demonstrated the viability of a consolidated democratic project on Europe’s eastern borders.
Investment in the Future: Supporting Ukraine is the most important geopolitical asset for EU’s strategic depth and regional security strategy. It is time for Europe and overall international community to establish a Special Tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression and initiate the operation of international compensation mechanisms in order to reach the foundations of lasting peace. Partnership with France and other European Union member countries encompasses humanitarian and military aid as well as a joint economic recovery.
The leadership role of France in this geopolitical impasse is of paramount importance and will definitely contribute towards a prosperous Ukraine with democratic institutions and thriving economy.
