President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed the government to simplify university admission requirements and border crossing procedures for young people, as well as to raise student scholarships starting next year. The Head of State announced this during a meeting with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum held to mark Youth Day.
The President congratulated the youth on the holiday, noting that when a country has millions of young people, that nation is alive and will continue to live.
“We are fighting for our state, for a sovereign Ukrainian state. Ukrainians are fighting, Ukrainians are working for defense so that the Ukrainian people can live a normal, safe, and peaceful life. Most importantly – on their own land. So that you, our young people, young generations, all those for whom Ukraine must and will be home, can do so,” the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the warriors, all those who have chosen to live, study, and work in their homeland, as well as those who, under any circumstances, maintain their connection with Ukraine.
The President said that in the morning he had spoken with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, the Office team, and the military. The state will take tangible steps to support young people.
First and foremost, this concerns admission to higher education institutions during wartime and under many difficult conditions. The Head of State instructed the government to simplify the admission process.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the military command, to explore the possibility of easing border crossing for young Ukrainians. The President proposed increasing the age of men allowed to travel abroad during martial law to 22. This will help many preserve their ties with Ukraine and pursue education, primarily in their home country.
An agreement has been reached with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to work on increasing scholarships for all students starting next year. In addition, the state will now expand support for those who achieve significant academic results.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted those who engage young people in various security programs and personally participate in them.
The President presented state awards to young people who distinguished themselves while defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces: the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class; the Orders “For Courage,” 2nd and 3rd Class; the Orders of Princess Olga, 3rd Class; and the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi. Awards were also given to those who have contributed to various areas of public life and have conscientiously fulfilled their professional duties.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with forum participants work with Ukrainian youth in the temporarily occupied territories, multiple citizenship, and diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.
“Negotiations are in any case important at the level of leaders. But talking about Ukraine without Ukraine is impossible. Therefore, the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may certainly be important for their bilateral track, but they cannot decide anything about Ukraine without us,” the Head of State emphasized.
