Zelenskyy, in footage, dined on pizza with kids at a shelter in Kiev.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a memorable moment with a group of resilient kids at a Kyiv shelter last Tuesday. The First Lady, Olena Zelenska, was also present for this special occasion.
The gathering came after the presentation of the 'Future of Ukraine' award, with the backdrop of a daytime attack alert in the city. In his evening address, President Zelensky highlighted, "We met with some fantastic Ukrainian kids and bestowed upon them our new award - the state 'Future of Ukraine' award."
He explained that this award is a beacon for children who have displayed incredible courage, having overcome obstacles like surviving in occupied territories, tragic deportations, or devastating losses. The president added that 20 children were honored with this award the previous day.
Zelensky took to the popular social media platform X to announce that the award, henceforth annual, was given to children who lived through extraordinary trials, faced with occupation, displacement, and loss, while also exhibiting acts of kindness, like helping others, supporting soldiers, and volunteering.
Due to an air raid alert, part of the meeting was relocated to a shelter, where the children and the presidential couple shared stories and laughter. "We're grateful to each child, especially their parents and families, for raising such incredible young ones," Zelensky added.
In his closing remarks, the President emphasized, "Our children truly embody the future of Ukraine. We take immense pride in having such compassionate and strong souls among us. Thank you for your actions, your bravery, and most importantly, your compassion."
A moving video, featuring snippets from the encounter shared by Zelensky on his X page, recently went viral.
It's essential to mention that Ukraine has been battling against Russian invasion for over three years. The resultant conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians and military personnel, causing numerous casualties.
Moreover, if you are intrigued by the 'Future of Ukraine' award, it was initiated by President Zelensky through a decree in 2025. This award recognizes children who have shown remarkable resilience and heroism in adverse situations, specifying criteria such as survival under harsh conditions, displays of bravery, and acts of support for others [1][3][4]. For instance, the first recipients included Dmytro Amalsky (16), who bravely saved his brother from a house fire, and Zakhar Babak (8), who actively supported captured soldiers [1].
- Despite the backdrop of world politics and general news about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky took a moment to honor 20 brave children who have shown remarkable resilience and heroism, despite facing challenges like occupation, displacement, and loss.
- The 'Future of Ukraine' award, initiated by President Zelensky in 2025, not only recognizes children who have demonstrated resilience in adverse situations but also highlights their acts of kindness and support for others, making them exemplary figures in Ukraine's politics and general news.
