“We Need Long-Term and Just Peace for the Entire Country”

Retaining people in frontline regions requires a fundamental shift in the government policy and creation of conditions that match current challenges and enable communities to overcome the consequences of war.
This was stated by Ihor Terekhov, head of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities and Mayor of Kharkiv, speaking in the ICTV studio.

“It is impossible to get used to such wartime conditions. It is impossible to get used to being bombed every night and every day. When people fall asleep not knowing whether they will wake up or not. And this is horrific. Of course, we need peace. But this peace must be long-term and, most importantly, just for the entire country. For us, it is very important to preserve our people,” said Ihor Terekhov.

According Mr Terekhov, in order for Ukrainians to remain in their homes in Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, or Zaporizhzhia, the government must offer effective support instruments, from enhanced security to the creation of appropriate economic conditions for businesses and families.

“That means different taxation, different business support, different support for people, certain benefits. In addition, social payments must be entirely different,” Terekhov added.

A separate priority for the Association remains the safety of children. According to Ihor Terekhov, Kharkiv’s experience in building underground schools has already become a benchmark for other communities adapting to the new realities of the education process.

“Today it is impossible to teach children above ground. We understand this perfectly well. That is why we are building underground schools, and Kharkiv is an example. At one point, we developed the design and cost documentation and shared it with other cities and communities. Other cities are now building based on our designs,” Terekhov concluded.