Ukraine's first lady, EC president discuss psychological rehabilitation of children

The European Union offered expert assistance during the development of a program of psychological assistance to children from Ukraine who have experience of war.

Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska reported on Telegram on the results of her meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to Ukrinform.

"The focus is on the psychological rehabilitation of Ukrainian children. Young Ukrainians are going through a difficult period due to the events of the war: education in bomb shelters, moving to new countries, lack of communication with relatives and friends, etc. And there are also 364 children whom Ukraine returned from Russia. They survived abduction, separation from loved ones, persuasion that 'no one in Ukraine needs them,' threats and even physical violence," Zelenska wrote.

She noted that von der Leyen had offered expert assistance from the EU and a unique program of assistance to Ukrainian children would be developed by Ukrainian specialists - "just as they are already doing it for the psychological camp, where children who lost loved ones in the war are undergoing rehabilitation."

Zelenska said that in response to the terrible experience of the war in Ukraine, powerful psychological assistance is being formed so that "no one is left alone with what they experienced."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on May 9 to celebrate Europe Day with Ukrainians. On the day of the visit, the politician met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.