Vladimir Zelensky announced the creation of “Unity Hubs” — new centers of support and integration for Ukrainians abroad, launched in several European countries, including the Czech Republic
This initiative aims to strengthen the connections of Ukrainian communities outside the country, promote their return home, and provide them with access to legal and social services. At an official live press conference in Prague, the Ukrainian president, together with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, signed a document establishing a unity center in the Czech Republic, which will become the second such facility in Europe. The first center of this kind is already functioning and fulfilling its mission in Germany. Speaking about this initiative, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized its importance for both peoples: "We want to create a network of such centers in countries where many Ukrainians live, to maintain contact with them and help in returning to the homeland when the time comes." The president named the countries where this idea is planned to be implemented — specifically, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, as well as the United Kingdom, which may join the participants given the growing Ukrainian diaspora. According to Zelensky, creating these hubs is a long-term and ongoing effort. "I only understand one thing — that it has begun, and I don't know when it will end. We need many such centers so as not to lose contact with our compatriots abroad," he emphasized. In these centers, Ukrainians will be able to receive legal assistance, consultations regarding official employment, and help in finding their place in the new circumstances. The president expressed hope that, with the end of the active phase of the war, many of them will return home to rebuild the country and create a new reality. Petr Fiala, in turn, stressed that currently about 160,000 Ukrainian citizens are working in the Czech Republic, and this number is constantly growing. He announced that the idea of creating a "unity center" in the Czech Republic arose at the end of 2024 and has been actively developed since then. Last year, the process of discussing and preparing relevant documents began, and the implementation of the project became a logical step towards strengthening Ukrainian-Czech relations. Sources, in particular, report that the first discussions about opening such a center in the Czech Republic appeared as early as winter 2025. Relevant agreements were signed in June 2025, and now the project is gaining momentum. The Ministry of Diaspora and other regional institutions continue working to ensure that every Ukrainian abroad feels supported and can easily navigate their new living and working conditions. As noted by the expert community, the opening of such centers is not only a modern response to the challenges of military aggression but also a strategic step toward strengthening Ukrainian identity abroad. It is also highlighted that it is important not only to talk about the return of Ukrainians but also to ensure their dignified adaptation in host countries, which will help preserve the Ukrainian cultural code and support the diaspora in difficult times. Thus, Zelensky’s initiative and the Czech government’s actions demonstrate a commitment to building a strong support network that allows Ukrainians to preserve their roots, language, and connections with their homeland, regardless of where they live. The goal is to make the process of integration more coherent and purposeful, as well as to overcome potential isolation that can occur in foreign countries. In the future, such hubs could become an important factor in the cultural and social revival of the Ukrainian world beyond Ukraine.