From 25 to 31 May 2026, Ukraine is observing the National Barrier-Free Week, aimed at drawing public attention to the necessity of creating an accessible environment, equal opportunities for all citizens, developing barrier-free spaces, services, and information, as well as fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and human-centric communication. The National Barrier-Free Week is held within the framework of implementing the strategy for creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine and continues the "Barrier-Free" initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirms our state's commitment to the principles of barrier-freedom as an integral component of democratic development, European integration, the protection of human rights, and the sustainable recovery of Ukraine. This concerns not only the physical accessibility of infrastructure but also the accessibility of public services, information, education, employment, culture, digital services, international interaction, and the full participation of every individual in public life.

Under the conditions of the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation, this theme has acquired particular significance for Ukraine. The war creates additional barriers for millions of people: male and female veterans, people with disabilities, older persons, parents with children, internally displaced persons, residents of communities close to the frontline, and individuals affected by mine danger, trauma, loss of housing, or forced displacement. Ukrainian diplomacy will continue to draw the attention of international partners to these challenges and the need to overcome them systematically.

The MFA of Ukraine proceeds from the premise that the reconstruction of Ukraine must be not only swift and effective but, above all, inclusive, accessible, and human-centric. The restoration of infrastructure, public services, communities, educational, medical, social, and cultural spaces must be carried out taking into account the needs of various groups of people and based on the principles of universal design, equality of opportunities, and respect for human dignity.

The formation of a culture of correct, non-discriminatory, and barrier-free language is of particular importance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the approval of the state language standard "Barrier-Free Terminology" — the first standard of its kind in Ukraine, which unifies non-discriminatory vocabulary and defines a list of words and expressions to be removed from official use. The standard covers over a hundred terms relating to the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, male and female veterans, parents with children, and other groups facing prejudice. The language of the state must be the language of respect.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine consistently integrates the principles of accessibility and inclusiveness into its institutional policy, consular activities, and international interaction. For the diplomatic service, this means the accessibility of public services for citizens of Ukraine abroad, the development of digital and remote formats of interaction, increasing the accessibility of foreign diplomatic missions, as well as implementing correct communication in the daily work of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Ukraine is grateful to international partners, foreign governments, international organizations, donors, experts, and civil society representatives who support our state in building an accessible, inclusive, and human-centric space. Such support is particularly vital in conditions where a significant part of Ukraine's resources is directed towards defending the state against Russian aggression.

The MFA of Ukraine calls upon international partners to continue prioritizing barrier-freedom in assistance programmes for Ukraine, notably in the areas of infrastructure recovery, rehabilitation, social cohesion, digital accessibility, education, healthcare, culture, transport, housing, and public services. Barrier-free reconstruction is not merely a matter of comfort or technical standards. It is a matter of human rights, democratic resilience, and a just future for Ukraine.

During the National Barrier-Free Week, Ukraine reaffirms: a strong European state is a state where every person can realize their rights, receive services and information, work, study, travel, participate in public life, and be heard without obstacles, prejudice, or discrimination.

Barrier-freedom is when a person can. This is precisely the kind of Ukraine we are building — accessible, dignified, inclusive, and European.