Yulia Svyrydenko: Ukraine is the first country to build a comprehensive veterans’ policy during wartime

Ukraine is the first country in the world to develop a comprehensive veterans’ policy while the war is still ongoing, rather than waiting until after it ends. This requires decisions grounded in the real-life experiences of Ukrainian defenders and their families. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stressed this during a meeting with representatives of the Coalition of Veterans’ Civil Society Organisations.

“According to our estimates, once the war is over Ukraine will have around 5–6 million veterans and their family members. That is why veterans’ policy must be seamlessly integrated into every sphere of life,” Yulia Svyrydenko said.

During the meeting, representatives of the Coalition presented updated concepts for state policy on veterans and their families. According to the Prime Minister, many of the proposals raised at the previous meeting in August have already been incorporated by the Government into the draft Veterans’ Code, which will shortly be submitted to parliament for consideration. Yulia Svyrydenko thanked the Veteran Hub charity foundation, the NGO Pryncyp, the NGO Spaces of Opportunities, and the NGO Legal Hundred for their productive cooperation.

The Prime Minister also outlined the next steps:

• The Ministry for Veterans Affairs, together with veterans’ NGOs, will hold discussions with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture on proposals in the areas of healthcare and employment.
• Separately, the issue of access to driving licence examinations for veterans with disabilities following training at barrier-free driving schools will be addressed, with the involvement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“Our goal is for every veteran – man or woman – and their family to feel tangible support from the state in healthcare, education, employment, social services, and everyday life,” the Prime Minister concluded.