President Zelenskyy: Ukraine’s veteran community must be fully integrated into public life

“It is right and necessary for the state that Ukraine’s veteran community be fully integrated into public life,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the VII International Veterans Forum on August 22.

It has already become a very important tradition that, on the eve of our Independence Day, we honor our veterans – our warriors, Ukrainian men and women who have done and continue to do everything to preserve our Ukrainian independence. Just as the heroic defense of Ukraine has become a fact of history, so too will the Ukrainian victory. It must ensure the preservation of our full state independence, our entire nation, and our true unity achieved during this time of Ukraine’s national solidarity for all future generations of Ukrainians.

Here, we have great hopes for Ukraine’s veteran community. All those people, who, both in military and civilian life, have proven that they care deeply about Ukraine’s existence and who truly understand the value of our state’s independence. Every nation that has undergone transformation and secured its place among the world’s true leaders has relied on certain key communities within society – communities of change. Today, in our country, veterans can become that community – every man and woman who, after defending Ukraine, wishes to become a leader of change for Ukraine. In particular, at the societal level, in public life, and in every Ukrainian community. So that the activity of veteran businesses, veteran spaces, and veteran hubs where one can receive all the necessary support, as well as the social activity of veterans not only guarantee the presence of a true, independent, and patriotic spirit in every community but also drive Ukraine’s development and confident growth – economically, socially, and culturally, which we as a nation desperately need. It is essential, because it is right and necessary for the state, for all our people, for our development that Ukraine’s veteran community be fully integrated into public life, so that those veterans who see themselves as leaders of change can truly become one of the most reliable sources of strength for Ukraine after this war.

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine