PRESS RELEASE : We must rebuild a new Ukraine – a state that has gained its independence and future – President during a conversation with the student community of Great Britain

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 June 2022.

The reconstruction of housing destroyed by the Russian occupiers should include not only the construction of new buildings, but also the construction of a new, modern Ukraine, which at a high price has gained its independence and the way to the future. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online conversation with students of universities in the UK.

“I really want people to return to their native country, to their native streets, but to a slightly different Ukraine, which has already gained independence and a future for itself. I really want this future to be mentally not in Stalin’s apartments, but in the independent Ukrainian space. And at the physical level there will be large construction and restoration of our state,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it is planned to restore all residential buildings that were destroyed as a result of the Russian invasion, and such reconstruction will depend on global financial support.

“Now is the moment of truth, now is the war. And when we win, we will build our new state, not forgetting our wonderful history and our traditions,” the President said.

The President stressed that building a new, modern state is impossible without the active participation of young people who will offer their vision of the future of Ukraine.

“I can’t build a comfortable state for you without you. I can build a state for all of us, for our generation, for the elderly. We can build a modern country, but it is impossible to build the future without the younger generation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He noted that despite the modernity and creativity, the Ukrainian authorities cannot see tomorrow as young people can.

“We cannot look ahead and see the future as transparently as you. Each generation is better than the previous one, more modern than the previous one. I can’t offer you anything. I can help you realize your dreams and your Ukraine, your vision of the future,” the President stressed.

Students and professors from leading British universities, including the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, City, University of London, Coventry University, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, University College London, etc. took part in the meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Representatives of the British media were present at several universities.