Brussels Summit: How Europe Supports Ukrainian Veterans Through Innovations and Partnership
As it is known, on June 25, 2024 Ukraine officially commenced its EU membership negotiations. Following this, on July 4-7, the first Ukrainian summit titled "Partnership, Innovation and Veterans' Health" was held at the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub based at the European Parliament in Brussels. Leaders of veterans' organizations from Ukraine, Belgium and France, representatives of NATO, the European Commission, both European and Ukrainian governments and parliaments, as well as delegates of associations and charitable foundations presented innovative solutions to foster cooperation between Ukrainian and European entities supporting and rehabilitating veterans. The key initiative was the launch of the New Start for Ukraine platform, designed to advance the development of veterans and their families through important directions and strategic projects.
During the address at the summit Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Ukrainian Mission to the EU, underscored that Ukrainian veterans are ambassadors of a new Ukraine. Their status is earned not only through their battlefield sacrifices, but also because they represent a new generation of Ukrainians; they have learned to live and work under extremely unfavourable and dangerous conditions; they have mastered new professions during the war; and they are capable of quickly assessing situations and making reasoned decisions where civilians might panic. Responsible, honest and hardworking veterans will undoubtedly be valued in industries, such as production, management and business. Veterans are among the most valuable assets that Ukraine now possesses.
This view was also shared by representatives of various EU structures present at the summit. In particular, Philippe Joppart, Senior Advisor on International Relations at Eurocontrol and Willem Hoefnagels, Political Advisor to the European Parliament, affirmed their readiness to integrate Ukrainian veterans into EU countries. Furthermore, the European Parliament has established a new higher education institution to facilitate the education and employment of Ukrainian veterans. The Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission was represented by Advisor Henrik Hololei, who recalled his homeland – Estonia's experience of Russian occupation, and praised the exceptional role of veterans in the country's liberation. He concurred that Ukraine's negotiations for EU membership are a fitting objective for Ukrainian warriors fighting for the prospect of a free, democratic, civilized Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Christian Debev, Head of the Commission on Cross-Border Cooperation of European Countries, also expressed his vision of comprehensive support from the EU. It provides significant funds to support Ukraine, and the European Investment Bank finances promising reconstruction projects. The EU countries supply military equipment and ammunition, and the Medevac program has already treated and rehabilitated over 6,000 wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Debev emphasized that this path is mutual – not only should the EU make steps towards Ukraine, but Ukraine must also reciprocate: first of all, by implementing necessary reforms that are not just EU demands, but a guarantee that Ukrainians and their descendants will live in a country where laws apply to everyone, and the government serves the common people, and not vice versa.
Ukrainian veterans were undoubtedly in the spotlight: communication with them became a new and unusual experience, especially for the European participants of the summit. They were deeply shocked by what they saw and heard. This newfound understanding is expected to greatly enhance the EU support for Ukrainian veterans.
Connections and future cooperation between veterans in need of assistance and those who can provide it – including doctors, psychologists, business coaches, charitable foundations, and simply compassionate individuals – can be easily established due to the Brotherhood of Cyborgs: Veterans Hub mobile app, presented at the summit. The developers aimed to create direct contact between a specific veteran and a specific benefactor or specialist willing to help. This promotes openness and barrier-free interaction between parties, regardless of their location – whether in Ukraine or within the EU.
In addition to the aforementioned participants, over 50 representatives from Ukraine and Europe took place in the summit, including delegates from the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils, the European Association of Ukrainian Women, Ruthenia ICF, PanteonX Charitable Foundation and others.
Details: PanteonX Charitable Foundation, Media and Information Department of the New Start for Ukraine platform ([email protected]).