In order to revive the Ukrainian countryside, it is first necessary to take care of jobs and restore infrastructure in rural areas, and work has already begun in this direction. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for Ukrainian TV channels in the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Culture, Media, Tourism" in Kyiv.
“We are currently preparing 1,600 infrastructure projects in each village. The program is currently designed for 9-10 years. We will do half, 500-600, in the next three and a half - four years," he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that young people and people of working age are now leaving the villages due to lack of work. Other spheres of life in rural settlements are also gradually declining, as older and elderly people do not need preschool and school educational institutions, etc.
The Head of State noted that the first experience of restoring life in the villages was gained by the authorities near the checkpoints on the delimitation line in Shchastya, Novotroitske, Stanytsia Luhanska. Administrative services centers, banking and post offices, shops, pharmacies were established there, and people actively visit them even from neighboring villages.
On the example of these checkpoints, as the President said, one can see which services are available and what is missing and should be added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the implementation of such projects can be funded by sponsors or with the support of business.
According to the President, an economic program, a program for the development of agro-industrial complex related to small farms and their support, a program for the development of stock-raising business are also being developed separately for the village.
"I think we will raise this reform. We need a lot of money, but we are eager to do it," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.