Ukrainian troops proudly marching in Brussels on Belgium’s National Day should send a powerful message to the Kremlin that the European Union, Belgium, and Brussels that hosts all major EU institutions – all stand with Ukraine and its people.

That’s according to Brussels mayor Philippe Close, who gave an exclusive comment to Ukrinform ahead of the National Day parade in the Belgian capital.

“After four years of war, it's very symbolic and important during our National day to put focus on what is happening in Ukraine,” said the mayor.

For Belians, he added, “Ukraine is part of Europe more than ever”.

He noted the importance of welcoming in the Belgian capital the Ukrainian troops, representatives of the army who resist Putin’s invasion.

“I'm sure that there will be warm applause for the Ukrainian troops on the Palace Square where they start their march alongside Belgian forces.

It is important that we show solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian troops not only in words but also with concrete action,” said Close, adding that the both the European Union, the Belgian government, as well as individual Belgian cities, including Brussels, are doing their best to help Ukraine and its people.

Today’s participation of Ukrainian troops in the Belgian national parade is supposed to create a “very symbolic image”, the mayor noted: “This to show the Putin government that the European Union and in particular the capital of the European Union stand with the Ukrainian troops”.

He separately noted that, since the beginning of the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine, Belgian population have been very open-minded to welcome all the refugees.

“Some 80 percent of the Ukrainian refugees are housed by the Belgian citizens, not only the public authorities. There is great solidarity,” concluded the mayor of the Belgian capital.

Photo: European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0