“Only Ukrainians will decide for themselves who our heroes are,” says Zelenskyy at International Veterans Forum with US envoy, as number of veterans passes two million
Zelenskyy said Ukraine will create a national pantheon for those who shaped its identity.
The 9th International Veterans Forum was held in Kyiv, Ukraine, in advance of the country's Independence Day. The event saw participation from US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, according to the Ukrainian Presidential Office. By May 1, 2026, the number of veterans in Ukraine surpassed two million, with 1,471,193 having combatant status and 159,132 receiving disability status due to their service.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the gathering, emphasizing that only Ukrainians will decide who their heroes are. He also announced plans to establish the Ukrainian National Pantheon, where significant figures in Ukrainian national consciousness and identity will be buried. This prestigious structure will be situated on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Preserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
The forum aimed to involve the veteran community in national commemoration policies and highlighted the ongoing role of Ukraine's defenders in shaping the nation's future.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
