Before the commencement of the Ukraine – Southeast Europe summit held in Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with participants, paid tribute to the memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

The ceremony was attended by: President of Moldova Maia Sandu, President of Romania Nicolae Ciucă, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Eliza Spiropali, First Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia Izet Medziti and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon.

At the Alley of Heroes in the Taras Shevchenko Park, the ceremony participants viewed portraits of fallen soldiers and laid flowers at them. Foreign guests were told the stories of the defenders of Ukraine who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our nation.

The Alley of Heroes was inaugurated last year on August 29 – on the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Defenders of Ukraine – initiated by the families of the fallen soldiers. Currently, there are informational stands set up about 469 fallen defenders, 12 of whom are Heroes of Ukraine.