On December 28, 2023, a new stage of work of the NGO “Association of Veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine” (hereinafter — the Association) began. The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, personally, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor V. Klymenko, supported our initiative to unite into a single powerful organization with an effective structure and new approaches. We will do everything possible to protect the rights and guarantees of social protection of veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

As the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko stressed in an address to the delegates of the conference, this is one of the vectors of the Ukrainian doctrine of development, defined by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

The newly elected Council and the Presidium of the Council work from the very first day, based on the many years of experience of the Association on social protection of veterans, pensioners, families of the dead and deceased, orphans, defined by the current legislation of Ukraine, normative and legal acts of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and also the rights and powers of the Charter of the Association, the decision of the VI report-election conference.

In the time in which we live, during the martial law, the nationwide struggle of the Ukrainian people, the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the historical enemy of Ukraine Russia, the terrorist country, the invader, the occupier, the barbarians of the XXI century, the efforts, the daily practical activities of the Presidium of the Association Council, the oblast, Kyiv City Councils, primary organizations carry out concrete work to implement the decision of the conference, so that veterans and pensioners feel concern for their health and well-being, respond promptly and in a businesslike manner to their appeals.

Particular attention will be paid to those who took direct part in the opposition to the Russian invaders.

In this regard, we have changed the style and mode of our daily work. For this purpose, daily duty and reception of veterans in the Association premises by members of the Presidium of the Council were introduced, the schedule of which is posted on the Association's website for the purpose of prompt consideration of their appeals.

We have identified priorities and priority practical measures. The Presidium of the Association Council at the first meeting considered them and approved them. Identified personally responsible members of the Presidium for their implementation.

The Presidium of the Council also approved commissions under the Presidium on specific areas of work. The chairmen of the commissions are approved by the Deputy Chairmen and members of the Presidium.

I want to emphasize that we were elected delegates of the conference in order to live the life of veterans, the life of the whole Ukrainian people in the conditions of martial law.

In this work, we hope to further support the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, structural units of the Ministry's apparatus, as well as the leadership of the National Police of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Border Service of Ukraine, the State Migration Service of Ukraine and their main departments, the command of military units and creating conditions for the effective work of Veterans Councils and veterans' primary organizations.

Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko stressed that “Only by joining forces, your knowledge and wisdom, experience of modern challenges, will we be able to create decent conditions for everyone who has worked and continues to work for the Ukrainian state.”

Such support of veteran organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs inspires us to daily, purposeful and effective work. We, the members of the Presidium of the Veterans Council, know what and how to do so that the activities of the Association fully meet the needs of today, the expectations of all veterans, especially those who need it every day - persons with disabilities, the seriously ill, the lonely, orphans, and those who are undergoing treatment or rehabilitation rehabilitation in medical and rehabilitation institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

To provide them with the necessary assistance, the Presidium of the Association together with the Charitable Foundation “Mercy” will act together and harmoniously.

The question of the participation of Veterans Councils, veterans organizations on the ground in providing assistance to families, relatives of the deceased or deceased in organizing the burial of the deceased (deceased) persons deserves attention. On our initiative, it was developed and by Minister I. Klymenko signed the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on this issue. Now we have at our disposal a normative and administrative act for the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Burial and Funeral Affairs”, “Charter of Garrison and Guard Services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine”, approved by the Law of Ukraine of March 24, 1999, Regulation on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated October 25, 2015 No. 8 He's 78.

It is necessary for the Councils of regional, Kyiv city veteran organizations to properly organize the delivery of this order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Law of Ukraine “On Burial and Funeral Affairs” to all veterans and pensioners of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system so that they know their content.

The Presidium of the Association will pay close attention to strengthening cooperation with the Councils of regional veterans, Kyiv city organizations, on improving their statutory activities in the conditions of martial law, regular training of veteran assets, providing them with methodical assistance, summarizing their work experience and disseminating it to take into account the work of all veterans organizations in the country.

In order to implement the decision of the conference in the second half of the current year, it is planned to conduct a comprehensive review of the work of primary veteran organizations. It requires coordination and work to streamline the accounting of veterans and retirees.

We will assist the Councils of regional and Kyiv city organizations in creating the right conditions for their successful work, and first of all regional organizations: Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Chernihiv regions. The leadership of the National Police of Ukraine and the main departments of the National Police in the regions of Ukraine will help us in this. We have an agreement on this with the Head of the National Police of Ukraine Ivan Vyhivsky. We also count on the direct participation of the Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Council of Veterans — Deputy Head - Head of the Department of Personnel Support of the National Police of Ukraine Serhiy Kobets in this work.

In order to strengthen business ties, it is planned to hold meetings with the leadership of the Ministries of Veterans Affairs, Social Policy, the Pension Fund, the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Pensioners and Social Protection, Departments of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Office of the President of Ukraine, as well as with the heads of all-Ukrainian veterans organizations, during which to discuss possible measures of cooperation with the Association and inform them about the activities of veteran organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the conditions of martial law and full-scale war of the Ukrainian Defense Forces with Russia un país terroristo, invader, invader.

To convey to them our proposals for further work on social protection of pensioners and veterans, preservation of benefits provided for by the legislation of Ukraine, acts of the President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Special attention should be drawn to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Pension Fund of Ukraine on the regulation of pension provision, unconditional implementation by ministries and pension funds of decisions of judicial bodies. The Association receives the most appeals each year on these vital issues for retirees and veterans. We will continue to vigorously defend their constitutional and legal rights.

In order to enrich the content of the work of veteran organizations, the Presidium of the Association intends, in accordance with the decision of the conference, to appeal to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a proposal to resume the annual practice of developing an action plan and signing the corresponding Memorandum, which was valid from 2014 to 2018. For reasons unknown to us, it is so useful, in our opinion and experience the practice was suspended. We hope that this issue will be resolved as well.

In order to coordinate cooperation with the veteran organizations of the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Service of Ukraine and the State Service of Ukraine on Emergency Situations, the Coordination Council of Heads of Councils of Veteran Organizations of the Internal Affairs System will be formed, with the agreement of the Heads of Councils of the Council of Veteran Organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The plan of priority actions for the implementation of Decision VI is reportable - the election conference provides for other measures, the implementation of which we will inform veterans, pensioners and the veteran asset of the Association through the Association's website and other possible operational forms of information.

I appeal to all concerned veterans of the system of bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, generals and retired officers who, due to health reasons, can join in joint work to protect social rights and life problems in the conditions of martial law, bloody, destructive, invasion war of Russia against the sovereign, freedom-loving, an independent Ukraine, whose people want and will live in peace and harmony, peace of mind, will be part of the European Union and NATO in the future, will be in alliance with the democratic countries of the world, which provide our country with extremely powerful assistance in these difficult times, aimed at achieving the victory of the Ukrainian people over the Kremlin executioners.

Dear colleagues! Your life and professional experience, life position, wisdom and perseverance are needed today more than ever!

Finally, it is advisable to quote Minister Igor Klymenko's words and address to the delegates of the conference: “Now, when Ukraine defends its independence, all generations of Ukrainians show exceptional cohesion to achieve Victory! And it is very important for us that veterans of the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs feel our gratitude and care, have real opportunities to pass on experience and knowledge to future generations in order to strengthen all areas of activity of our department.” Further, the Minister stated: “Only by combining your efforts, your knowledge and wisdom, experience of modern challenges, will we be able to create decent conditions for everyone who has worked and continues to work for the Ukrainian state.”

According to us, dear colleagues - veterans, specific cases and efforts to the possible contribution of each of us, in solving the most urgent matters in the life of our state, especially in its defense, reconstruction and development, public security and civil defense of citizens.

Let's remember! Ukraine, the Ukrainian people are in danger. Ukraine, as a sovereign, independent state, is possible only under the condition of the unity of the entire Ukrainian society, the indifference of Ukrainian citizens to the fate of Ukraine, to their fate. We are resolutely fighting the traitors of the state, coloborants, pro-Russian sympathizers and agents of the Kremlin, Putin's imperial totalitarian regime, whose goal is the destruction of Ukraine, as an independent, sovereign country, the destruction of the Ukrainian nation.

We believe and will work hard every day to accelerate the Victory over Russia - the terrorist, for the sake of restoring Ukraine within the borders of 1991, which are internationally recognized! And for which the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the entire Defense and Security Sector, the entire Ukrainian people are fighting for with strong international support.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroic Ukrainian people!

Chairman of the NGO “Association of Veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine”, Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, General of the Internal Service of Ukraine
Vasyl DURDINETS