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

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 will the Ukrainian victory. It must ensure the preservation of our full state independence, our entire nation and our true unity achieved during this period of Ukraine’s national solidarity for all future generations of Ukrainians.

Here we have great hopes for the veteran community of Ukraine. All those people who, both in military and civilian life, have proven that they care deeply about the existence of Ukraine and who truly understand the value of the independence of our state. Every nation that has gone through change and secured its place among the true leaders of the world has relied on certain key communities within society – communities of change. Today in our country, veterans can become this community – any man and woman who, having defended Ukraine, wants to become a leader of change for Ukraine. In particular, at the level of society, in public life and in every Ukrainian community. So that the activity of veteran enterprises, veteran spaces and veteran centers, where one can get all the necessary support, as well as the social activity of veterans will not only guarantee the presence of a genuine, independent and patriotic spirit in every community, but also promote the development and confident growth of Ukraine – economically, socially and culturally, which we urgently need as a nation. It is crucial, because it is right and necessary for the state, for our entire people and for our development, that the veteran community of Ukraine be fully integrated into public life, so that these 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 speech: Office of the President of Ukraine