Ukraine’s respect for its veterans must be reflected in concrete, systematic work by state institutions and in communities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during the IX International Veterans Forum.
According to the Head of State, the legislation should first be reviewed so that veterans are not simply one of the categories eligible for benefits.
“With all due respect to everyone, nevertheless, this must be corrected. We need modern, dignified legislation specifically for veterans – exclusively about veterans – without mixing this large and very important community with other groups in society. Veterans deserve separate legislative attention and special respect,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In addition, veterans’ families, as well as the families of fallen warriors, prisoners of war, and those missing in action, must be full-fledged subjects of veteran policy.
The President instructed the Government and members of Parliament, together with the veteran community, to prepare the relevant legislative proposals and present them.
Another important aspect is the concrete substance of veteran policy: what specific opportunities and prospects are being created in Ukraine for veterans. Social support for veterans must be structured in a way that truly addresses all existing problems, and specifically those that need to be addressed. All relevant government authorities must propose solutions so that all aspects of support for veterans and members of their families reflect today’s realities.
“We need to direct state resources effectively and coordinate community resources. I very much expect this to be one of the key objectives of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State also emphasized that more work is needed with international partners to support veteran programs in Ukraine. Proactive countries that understand what veterans are and all the challenges they face are ready to help us. There are also countries that, for various reasons, cannot provide weapons but are ready to help Ukrainian defenders in other ways.
The President believes that a stronger foundation is needed for the pilot steps in veteran policy that the executive branch has already implemented and that have delivered results. One example is support for dental treatment and dental prosthetics. These programs need to be expanded, and from these specific areas, we need to move on to all the other needs that are very important for veterans and their families.
It is important that veterans and their families have full opportunities for health and recovery. Housing and educational programs, as well as everything related to supporting veteran businesses and veteran sports, should be available to both veterans and their families at the state and community levels.
State policy toward veterans and their families must be based on clear data. An analysis is needed of the veteran’s path from service to civilian life and when they need a particular service from the state.
All processes for veterans need to be digitized, and access to services and documents simplified. There must also be clear and professional training for all institutions, including veteran assistants and other specialists.
The Head of State separately emphasized that veterans’ experience and responsibility are the foundation of the security of individual communities and society as a whole. They must be active participants in the life of their communities and the entire country.
“A veteran is our asset – an asset to the state, someone who can, in fact, help the state itself. The veteran community is one of the foundations of our social order,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
