Mirabela Grădinaru visits Kyiv for Ukraine's 35th Independence Day and First Ladies Summit

Diplomatic representation in Kyiv

Mirabela Grădinaru, the partner of Romanian President Nicușor Dan, travelled to Kyiv on 24 August 2026 to represent Romania at official ceremonies marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Dressed in an ivory dress, Grădinaru was received upon arrival by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, exchanging formal remarks that were broadcast on the Ukrainian president's official X account. Following the official reception, she joined the gathering of foreign leaders and heads of government present in the capital. Grădinaru's visit centered on the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, organized following a formal invitation extended by Zelenska. European officials attending the events in Kyiv included Moldovan President Maia Sandu, alongside the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Finland. In the margins of the official program, Grădinaru held a direct in-person meeting with President Sandu.

Statements on the war and bilateral support

During a broadcast interview with TVR Info in Kyiv, Grădinaru addressed the human consequences of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine. She reflected on meeting mothers who lost their sons during the conflict, remarking that peace cannot be taken for granted and requires continuous support for the Ukrainian population.

I am in Kyiv for the first time, at the invitation of Mrs Olena Zelenska. My personal message is: we stand with Ukraine and wish them strength to continue and resist the aggressor. I hope, I wish for peace, because peace means freedom and I believe everyone wants tranquility.

In Bucharest, Ukrainian Ambassador to Romania Ihor Prokopciuk marked the independence anniversary by emphasizing bilateral cooperation. Prokopciuk described Romania as a partner in regional security, energy supply, transport corridors, and European Union integration. He noted that Kyiv places particular value on Bucharest's sustained backing for Ukraine's path toward European integration.

Coalition meeting and child welfare agenda

Parallel to the Kyiv ceremonies, President Nicușor Dan took part from Bucharest in a hybrid meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at 14:00. The Coalition of the Willing brings together partner states coordinating support for Kyiv, with Dan attending via videoconference while Grădinaru represented Romania on the ground. Dan had outlined Grădinaru's upcoming trip in July 2026, indicating that her official activities would center on child welfare initiatives. Those priorities encompass education, prevention of youth addictions, and shielding children from harmful effects linked to modern digital technology. The trip followed direct consultations between Zelenska and Grădinaru at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest in May 2026, where the two discussed joint projects regarding mental health, child welfare, and assistance for vulnerable families.

Bilateral coordination and regional anniversaries

The Romanian presidential administration stated that specific operational details regarding the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen would be communicated at a later stage due to guest safety and security considerations. The events on 24 August marked 35 years since the Ukrainian parliament adopted its Declaration of Independence in 1991. The date also closely precedes the national holiday of neighboring Moldova, which observes the 35th anniversary of its own declaration of independence on 27 August. The presence of Romanian and Moldovan representatives in Kyiv alongside British and Finnish leaders formed part of a coordinated series of diplomatic engagements marking Ukraine's statehood during the war with Russia.