Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded high state awards to 143 foreign citizens for their significant contribution to strengthening international cooperation, for their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, for charitable activities and for the country's global representation, Ukrinform reported, BTA reported.
Among the awards are the Order of Prince Yaroslav, the Order of Merit, the Order of Princess Olga, the Medal of Labor and Victory, and the Cross of Ivan Mazepa.
Among those awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, first degree, are Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Czech President Peter Pavel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recan, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Dijs Schoof, US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham, and European Commissioner for Defence Andrews Kubilius.
During Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, the US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Swedish Defence Minister Pál Jónsson were awarded the Order of Merit, First Class, and German Ambassador to Kiev Martin Jaeger was awarded the Order of Merit, Second Class.