President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the International Volunteer and Veterans Forum “Ukraine is where we are", which took place in the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Defenders".
Addressing the veterans and volunteers, the Head of State noted that he would clearly tell about the results, achievements, mistakes, plans and deadlines for their implementation.
The first issue, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the health of the participants in the hostilities. This year, in the framework of the President's "Large Construction" program, the therapeutic building of the regional hospital for war veterans in Rivne, as well as the building of physical and rehabilitation medicine in Svyatohirs'k, Donetsk region, will be completed.
"A year ago, I approved the National Strategy for Physical Education and Sports Rehabilitation of War Veterans, Their Families and Families of the Deceased. Currently, all local administrations are involved in the implementation of the action plan and the creation of appropriate conditions for rehabilitation in each region," he added.
The President named justice, legality and impartiality as regards every Ukrainian veteran as the second important priority.
"In 2014, the beginning of Russian aggression showed not only the weaknesses of our army, but also the gaps in our legislation. Because of these gaps, thousands of citizens who defended Ukraine's independence and our sovereignty need protection in the legal field now. To help them, I formed the Advisory Council for Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Defenders of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that today, for the first time in recent years, the issue of pardoning dozens of convicted veterans is being actively considered, and it will be resolved as soon as the relevant commission provides all the conclusions.
"We are restoring justice, and only this year more than 400 volunteers who took part in the antiterrorist operation received the status of a participant in hostilities. About half a thousand war veterans and members of the families of the deceased will receive monetary compensation in 2021 for the purchase of their own housing," the President said.
Another important issue, according to the President, is the search for those who are neither among the living nor among the dead. He recalled that in November 2020 he had signed a decree to protect the rights and interests of missing persons in special circumstances, which should guarantee their rights and make the search for missing persons more effective.
Honoring the memory of fallen heroes is another priority of the state, said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. To this end, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on military funeral rites, and the government began establishing a National Military Memorial Cemetery.
Also, for the first time in seven years of the war, more than 60 fallen soldiers of volunteer formations were awarded the Order of Courage.
"It is important. Because the state, which forgets those who died for it yesterday, will not be protected by anyone tomorrow," the President stressed.
According to him, the state also continues to work in all other areas discussed earlier: medical care, social adaptation, land and housing provision, development of veterans' business.
"Again, I am grateful to each of you! I wish you and your families good health, prosperity and, of course, peace. I believe that the day will come when we will play a friendly match between the veterans' team and the volunteer team at the Donbas Arena or at the Lokomotiv in Simferopol under the blue and yellow flag. And I know exactly who will be the winner. The winner will be Ukraine. Thanks! Glory to Ukraine!" said the Head of State.
Together with the President, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Defenders".
"We remember those soldiers, volunteers and doctors who have defended this noble land since 2013. Today, as we recognize and honor those who have served in the Armed Forces, we also remember and honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice for their country and their nation - may their memory be eternally blessed," said His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.