Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Natalia Kalmykova and Minister of Veterans Affairs of Great Britain Alistair Carnes signed the Memorandum within the framework of the implementation of the Security Agreements. This document opens a new stage of partnership between countries, aimed at sharing experience and joint formation of a modern system of support for veterans.
Ukraine and Great Britain will expand opportunities in the field of professional training, retraining, veteran entrepreneurship and employment, will work on the development of digital services and ensuring barrier-free access to services. It is also planned to support adaptive sports for veterans and carry out research in the field of rehabilitation, in particular with an emphasis on Ukraine’s preparation for the 2027 Invincible Games, which will be hosted by Great Britain.
During his visit to Kyiv, Alistair Carnes honored the memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers by laying flowers at the Wall of Remembrance. In addition, he took part in the International Veterans Forum “Ukraine. veterans Bezpeka’, where a broad discussion was held about the role of veterans in the restoration of the state and the development of modern support policy.
“We can learn much more from you how to fight than you can learn from us. There are 2.1 million veterans in the UK and we are now building a new system of support – from national level to local communities. It should provide standardized assistance in the field of physical and mental health, education, career, and family support. We are developing an approach in which the whole state is involved in supporting veterans, – noted Alistair Carnes.
In addition, Karns got acquainted with Ukrainian initiatives in the field of support for veterans, in particular with the “Neopalymi” program, which provides free rehabilitation and treatment of combat wounds, burns and scars, as well as with the activities of the Veteran Hub – a space for social adaptation, support for veterans and their families.
“Partnership with Great Britain is a new level of international cooperation. Together, we are creating a system that will guarantee Ukrainian veterans modern services, rehabilitation, opportunities for development and a worthy place in society. The experience of our friends helps us to make policy even more stable, and our experience is important for allies, – said the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Nataliya Kalmykova.
