President of Moldova Sandu congratulated Ukraine on Independence Day against the backdrop of upside-down Ukrainian flags

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu participated in congratulating Ukraine on its Independence Day but found herself in an awkward situation.

This information reported by TASS.

Sandu stood alongside a children’s choir in front of the presidential administration building in Chisinau to convey her greetings. The children held flags of both Moldova and Ukraine. However, internet users noticed a detail that the Moldovan organizers of the event seemingly overlooked – the Ukrainian flags were displayed upside down.

Meanwhile, according to vexillology, the study of flags, an upside-down flag is universally considered a signal of distress, sorrow, a critical state of a country, or defeat in war. In other contexts, such a display of a flag can be a clear insult to the state and its entire nation.

Unfazed by the flag mishap, Sandu proceeded to congratulate Ukraine, stating that its citizens have the freedom to “build their country as they envision.”

As of now, there has been no official comment from Moldova regarding the incident with the congratulatory display.