EU funding and job reform
Ukraine’s parliament passed a law on Oct. 26 that reinstates open competitions for civil service and local government positions. This legislative action advances long-delayed reforms tied to EU funding. The law fulfills Ukraine’s commitments under the Ukraine Facility, an EU financial assistance program launched in 2024, and provides 137 million euros ($153 million) in budget funding, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said after the recent session of the Ukrainian parliament. I view this as a necessary step to secure vital budget resources. Open and transparent job hirings will be reinstated gradually. The law also gives veterans priority for civil service jobs.
Veteran leadership and population impact
President’s Office Head Kyrylo Budanov, a former spy chief, said Ukraine should create conditions for veterans "to realize their potential in state institutions, local government, the economy, and the country’s leadership." He stated, "Ukrainian veterans have unique experience in leadership, responsibility, management, and decision-making under the most challenging conditions." He added that "Veterans must be among those shaping Ukraine’s future." Currently, around 2 million veterans live in Ukraine. The Veterans Affairs Ministry said that after the war ends, veterans and their close family members could make up one-sixth of the country’s population, or up to six million people. I find the prospect of six million people being veterans or close family members a massive demographic reality for the country to face.
| Ukrainian Demographic and Sentiment Data | Statistical Values |
|---|---|
| Current number of veterans in Ukraine | 2 million |
| Projected post-war veteran and family total | 6 million |
| Projected post-war population fraction | One-sixth |
| KIIS 2025 positive view of veterans in politics | 66% |
| KIIS 2025 neutral view of veterans in politics | 19% |
| KIIS 2025 negative/somewhat negative view | 7% |
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted a 2025 poll which showed that 66% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude toward veterans participating in politics, while 19% are neutral and 7% view it negatively or somewhat negatively. Over the past year, several prominent figures with military backgrounds have already taken up senior positions in Ukraine’s government. I find the 7% of the population that views veteran political participation negatively to be a notable and distinct segment of the population.
