On August 22, the VIII International Veterans Forum on Ukraine. Veterans. Security took place in Kyiv. The annual event, held on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day, was organized by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.
The Forum was once again supported by the Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia, with the support of the governments of Norway and Sweden.
This year’s agenda was fully aligned with the composition of participants — most were veterans and representatives of veteran-led organizations.
The event brought together veterans, civil society leaders, public officials, international partners, diplomatic missions, and media.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Forum, emphasizing that Ukraine’s independence exists thanks to those who defend it. He also presented state awards, including one posthumously to the family of Hero of Ukraine Maksym 'Dali' Kryvtsov.
A special guest of the Forum was NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who visited Kyiv on his first official trip in the role. Other high-level speakers included Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and senior members of the Ukrainian government.
Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Nataliia Kalmykova thanked Ukrainian defenders, presented key milestones of the 'Heroes Policy' doctrine, and stressed the importance of reintegration through community-level support. She also moderated one of the forum’s main panel discussions.
“Civil society plays a crucial role in shaping veteran policy. But organizations need more than a seat at the table — they need support to grow and build capacity. ISAR Ednannia has worked in Ukraine for over 20 years to strengthen the civil sector. We will continue this mission with a particular focus on veteran organizations. This is where synergy between government, international partners, and civil society is essential for achieving meaningful results,” said Volodymyr Sheyhus, Executive Director of ISAR Ednannia.
Full recording of the Forum is available in Ukrainian and English on ISAR Ednannia’s YouTube channel:
The event was supported by the IREX Veterans Reintegration Program, the Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of State and the governments of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the European Union.
