What Ukrainian young people are going through today is a challenging experience: nights spent in bomb shelters, studying during air raid alerts, volunteering after Russian attacks, playing sports on destroyed grounds, defending Ukraine on the battlefield, enduring the hellish Russian captivity, and facing countless other hardships brought upon Ukrainians by Russia’s war.

On International Youth Day, we reiterate: Ukrainian youth deserve a peaceful future where they will no longer need to know how to distinguish the sounds of Russian drones and missiles. Ukrainians who are held in Russian captivity today must be released without delay. All Ukrainian kids whose childhood and youth have been stolen by Russia’s unlawful deportation must be brought home. 

Eternal memory to the young Ukrainians who gave their lives defending our freedom. Their courage and sacrifice will forever remain part of Ukraine’s history.

Despite all these challenges, Ukrainian young people are already taking responsibility for their country’s future. They are indeed the future of Ukraine – a future worth fighting for.