Kim on Ministry of Veterans Affairs' priorities: Establishing State Support Service and digitalization

Ukraine's Minister for Veterans Affairs, Vitaliy Kim, has outlined the ministry's top priorities, which include establishing a State Support Service, digitizing services, and ensuring economic independence for veterans. At the Ninth International Veterans Forum in Kyiv, Kim highlighted five key areas of focus: state support, honor and remembrance, transitioning from military service to civilian life, health and rehabilitation, and economic independence and opportunities.

Kim emphasized the need for a comprehensive government support system for veterans, moving beyond existing individual programs. While the current system includes effective patrol services, NGOs, and veteran volunteers, Kim believes that the government has a responsibility to provide these services. He criticized some brigades for lacking effective support services, stating that it is the government's duty to provide them.

One of the ministry's key priorities is the digitization and standardization of the transition from military service to civilian life. The current process involves three steps: a Medical Examination Commission, surrendering weapons, and registration at the Territorial Center for Social Reintegration. Kim believes that the state should handle the remaining aspects of this transition, including medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, mental health care, and sports activities.

Kim stressed the importance of integrating various elements of the transition into a single system rather than treating them as isolated processes. The minister also emphasized that a well-rounded support system should not make veterans dependent on state assistance. Instead, the goal is to empower veterans to achieve self-fulfillment, secure employment, and attain economic independence.

To achieve this, Kim proposed collaboration between the government and the business community to create employment opportunities for veterans. On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada approved the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers, appointing Vitaliy Kim as the Minister for Veterans Affairs, as reported earlier.