While Ukraine Is Moving Toward Membership in the European Union, It Is Already Part of the Free World in Values – as It Stands for Freedom and Dignity – Olena Zelenska

• Home
• News
• President's wife

[Link]

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part online in the International Forum "Recovery of Ukraine: New Opportunities and Development Scenarios," held in Vilnius.

[Link]

The event focused on steps for Ukraine's reconstruction, including the development of international cooperation tools, the restoration of critical infrastructure, and the energy sector. A dedicated panel addressed Ukraine's path toward European Union membership.

"When the question is sometimes asked, 'Why rebuild if a missile could strike again?' - the answer is simple. If we postpone life for later, we accept the logic of destruction. But Ukraine does not live by an imposed scenario. In the very first days of the invasion, we - as a society and as a state - made a difficult and principled decision: while defending ourselves, not to stop development. That is why we are not only rebuilding housing, hospitals, schools, and universities, and restoring electricity supply - we are trying to make them better than they were before," the First Lady emphasized.

[Link]

The forum was traditionally held at the Ukrainian Center - a flagship cultural and educational space opened in Vilnius in 2022 under the patronage of the First Ladies of Ukraine and Lithuania. The Center serves as a venue for international events dedicated to Ukraine and its support.

"I am sincerely grateful to the First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė, Vytautas Magnus University, the team of the Ukrainian Center, volunteers, and all partners for developing this Center with such dedication. For me, this is the best illustration of European values in action. Values we fully share. Because while Ukraine is moving toward membership in the European Union, it is already part of the free world in values - as it stands for freedom and dignity. Therefore, the recovery of Ukraine is at the same time the recovery of a safe Europe," Olena Zelenska noted.

During the forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed between the University of Silesia (Poland) and Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania). The agreement aims to strengthen and provide long-term support for the activities of Ukrainian centers hosted at both universities.