First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in the Ukraine–Japan Forum in Tokyo, dedicated to promoting Ukraine’s economic recovery. The event brought together government officials, business leaders, and international organizations. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka.
In her address, Zelenska emphasized the importance of the human dimension in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
“Rebuilding homes and businesses is essential, but not enough. They are meaningless if no one lives or works in them. In Ukraine, we say: ‘Rebuild the person, and the person will rebuild everything.’ One of the most important aspects of recovery is restoring human capital,” she said.
Despite daily Russian attacks, Zelenska noted that Ukrainians continue working and studying, and the state keeps advancing key humanitarian initiatives.
“We try to rebuild everything we can, even before the war ends. The aggressor aims not only to take lives but also to destroy their quality. Resisting that is also an act of defiance,” Zelenska stressed.
She shared progress in Ukraine’s school nutrition reform:
- Over 1,000 modern school kitchens established
- 6,500 cooks trained
- Free daily lunches provided to all primary school students
“This is not just about health and nutrition. It’s about a sense of care and security for children and their families. Our goal is to extend free meals to all schoolchildren,” Zelenska added.
She also spoke about initiatives by the Olena Zelenska Foundation:
- 17 school and kindergarten shelters restored
- 6 “Superhero Schools” created in children’s hospitals
- 15 homes built for large foster families under the “Address of Childhood” project
- 5 new youth psychosocial support centers “12–21” underway
“Ukrainians – both young and old – deserve to live with quality, safety, and care. Not ‘someday,’ but right now,” she concluded.
Zelenska also expressed deep gratitude to Japan for its substantial financial, humanitarian, and technical support for Ukraine.
