High-Level Parliamentary Support for Ukraine’s Veterans

Last week, Lord Risby and Kent With Ukraine were pleased to welcome Minister Nataliia Kalmykova and Deputy Minister Ruslan Prykhodko of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine to a high-level event at the House of Lords.

The event brought together more than 60 guests, including senior politicians and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, alongside representatives from government, industry, local government, charities and wider civil society. The breadth and seniority of those in attendance demonstrated the strength of the United Kingdom’s continued cross-party commitment to Ukraine and to supporting those who have served in its defence.

Minister Kalmykova and Deputy Minister Prykhodko spoke directly about the significant and increasingly complex challenges facing Ukraine’s veteran community. As Russia’s full-scale invasion continues, growing numbers of Ukrainian servicemen and women are returning to their communities with life-changing physical injuries, psychological trauma and long-term rehabilitation needs.

The Minister and Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of providing comprehensive support that extends beyond immediate medical treatment. This includes physical and psychological rehabilitation, accessible transport, employment, housing, education, family support and the opportunity for veterans to reintegrate fully into civilian and community life.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for senior British stakeholders to hear directly from the Ukrainian Government about the scale of the challenge and the areas in which international partnerships can deliver meaningful and measurable results. Discussions also considered how governments, businesses, healthcare providers, local authorities and civil-society organisations can work together to create practical, sustainable and scalable programmes.

During his remarks, Deputy Minister Prykhodko specifically highlighted the importance of Kent With Ukraine’s veteran mobility campaign. The initiative is designed to address one of the most immediate and practical barriers facing injured and disabled veterans: the ability to travel independently and with dignity.

Without appropriate and accessible transport, veterans can struggle to attend rehabilitation appointments, access employment and education, participate in community life or maintain vital connections with their families. Improving mobility is therefore not simply a transport issue. It is essential to successful rehabilitation, independence, economic participation and long-term wellbeing.

Ukraine’s veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices in defence not only of their own country, but of European security, democracy and freedom. Their service must be matched by a sustained international commitment to ensuring that they receive the support, opportunities and dignity they deserve.

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Lord Risby and Kent With Ukraine were honoured to facilitate this important engagement and are grateful to all those who attended and contributed to the discussion. They look forward to continuing their close cooperation with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and partners across the United Kingdom and Ukraine, turning shared commitment into practical action for Ukraine’s veterans and their families.