‘You won’t be ever able to bring back the stolen childhood,’ stated Zelenskyy at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv and delivered a speech during a closing ceremony addressing the ongoing impact of the war on Ukraine and its children.

Mr Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, and the international guests for their support and presence in such challenging times despite all the risks. The President of Ukraine described the Summit as a global platform that brings together important voices and facilitates decisions that make a difference, even in times of war.

‘You can rebuild a destroyed house, you can restore your economy, you can recover your infrastructure, you can mine clear all the territories peppered with enemy’s mines, but you won’t be ever able to bring back the stolen childhood or compensate for those emotions, the safety and the calm that those [Ukrainian – ed.] children lost,’ – said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr Zelenskyy emphasised that children are the most vulnerable victims of any conflict, and the ongoing war in Ukraine has shattered their sense of safety. He shared a story of a Ukrainian soldier who was just a high school student when Russia first started a war in 2014 but who is now defending his country because Russia invaded again. Mr Zelenskyy highlighted how war turns students into soldiers and robes them of their youth.

The President of Ukraine reflected on the consequences of the international community’s hesitation in confronting Russia’s aggression, urging the world to stop turning its back on the actions of Russia that have continued to devastate Ukraine. He warned that ignorance will only empower dictators like Putin to carry on their destructive campaigns.

Mr Zelenskyy also drew attention to the number of Ukrainian children, particularly those born after February 24, 2022, who have never known a world without war.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian kids now ask quite adult questions like ‘What is in the air again?’, ‘Was it a missile?’, ‘When will my dad come back home?’, ‘Will God never punish Putin?’ and the most complex question, ‘When will this war end?’ The President of Ukraine said these questions are not just for parents but for the entire global community, and they demand honest and open answers from adults.

Furthermore, Mr Zelenskyy pointed out the disturbing reality that many of the missiles striking Ukraine are made with components from various countries, highlighting the global interconnectedness of the war and the moral responsibility of the international community to prevent such tragedies. He called for unity in addressing these challenges, stating that the safety of children is a shared responsibility that must unite leaders, organisations, and individuals alike.

The President stressed Ukraine’s commitment to finding solutions to end the war and protect future generations. Mr Zelenskyy firmly stated that those responsible for the suffering of Ukrainian children will be held accountable. He called for a world where children can grow up free from the horrors of war, urging the international community to ensure that this war, and all wars, are relegated to the past.

Zelenskyy ended his speech by thanking the Summit’s participants for their support and solidarity and reaffirming that Ukraine and its allies will prevail together. ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ concluded the President of Ukraine.