It is our common duty to honour the heroes, to create a wide range of opportunities for them and to turn the defenders into the engines of change not only in the military but also in civilian life.

This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in his speech at the VII International Veterans Forum “Ukraine. Veterans. Unity”, which took place on 22 August with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Prime Minister outlined the key areas of the Government’s new veterans’ policy.

“The first area is the service infrastructure for defenders. The introduction of new services, digitalisation of veteran services, integration of registers, simplification of procedures, scaling of the so-called ‘single windows’ for veterans in the Administrative Service Centres. All this is happening right now. Our principle is to provide convenient and fast services without bureaucracy,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The second area of the new veterans’ policy, announced by the Head of Government, is the conditions for economic activity of defenders. Primarily, employment or setting up their own businesses.

“Veterans have the opportunity to get a new profession or improve their knowledge and skills. This can be done through the Vocational Education Centres of the State Employment Service, through training vouchers issued by the state, or through Veteran Development Centres. Such centres have been set up at 19 universities in different regions of the country,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Denys Shmyhal, about 900 veterans and their relatives have received more than UAH 410 million under the eRobota grant programme to start and develop their own businesses. Support is also provided through the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

“The third area of the veterans’ policy is treatment and rehabilitation. It is our duty to help our defenders recover physically and mentally. We have set an ambitious goal to open modern rehabilitation centres for service members and veterans in all regions. Similar to the one currently operating in Borodianka in Kyiv region,” the Head of Government said.

According to Denys Shmyhal, there is already a psychological support service for veterans and their families. Veterans are reimbursed for routine dental care. The dental prosthesis programme has been expanded. Defenders can count on high-quality dentures being fitted and maintained at public expense.

“The fourth area of the new veterans’ policy is affordable housing for defenders. Last year, 2,600 veterans and their families received financial compensation from the state for the purchase of housing. This year, UAH 5.7 billion has been allocated for this purpose,” the Prime Minister said.

In addition, a preferential mortgage programme eOselia is available for veterans. This is a loan at 7% for 20 years with a minimum down payment.

“The fifth area of the veterans’ policy is honouring the feat of the Ukrainian military. This is a cross-cutting topic that covers all spheres of life. From toponymy and education to large-scale national commemorative projects,” the Prime Minister said.

Denys Shmyhal thanked the defenders for their invaluable efforts and wished them strength and endurance in bringing the victory closer.