INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL MECHANISM FOR THE FORMATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE VETERAN POLICY

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . This study highlights that the research into the institutional and legal framework for shaping and implementing veteran policy in modern Ukraine is driven by Russia's ongoing full-scale armed aggression, the continuous increase in the number of veterans, and the complex nature of their needs. These factors necessitate effective reintegration and social adaptation. The emergence of a new institutional landscape, including the establishment of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, and the development of veteran support specialists, underscores the urgent need to analyze and enhance the current system.
M e t h o d s . The research was conducted using a systematic approach, which allowed for viewing the mechanism as a complex,
interconnected system. The institutional method aided in examining how various institutions function, while the normative-legal method was applied to analyze the relevant legal framework. The functional method was used to define the specific roles performed by individual elements of the institutional and legal mechanism. To understand the mechanism's development and current state, both historical and logical methods were employed, with documentary analysis serving as the primary method for gathering information.
R e s u l t s . The study examines the institutional and legal mechanism for the formation and implementation of state veteran policy in Ukraine, defining it as a comprehensive system comprising institutional, legal, and procedural components. It identifies key stakeholders, including the President, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, other central executive bodies, and local selfgovernment bodies, as well as civil society organizations. The stages of state veteran policy formation and implementation, along with its core principles, are outlined. The analysis reveals a fragmentation of responsibilities across numerous government agencies, underscoring the critical need for effective interagency coordination, particularly through the establishment of a Coordination Council. The importance of new legislation and strategies that broaden the scope of veteran policy is also emphasized.
C o n c l u s i o n s . It has been demonstrated that Ukraine's institutional and legal mechanism for veteran policy is a complex system characterized by active legislative development and recognized priority. However, despite the pivotal role of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, a dispersal of functions among more than 20 government bodies has been identified, necessitating enhanced interagency coordination, particularly through the establishment of a Coordination Council. It is argued that further legislative updates, increased institutional capacity, the involvement of local communities and civil society organizations, the pursuit of stable funding sources, and the digitalization of services are all crucial for success.