Video recap: How Will Ukraine’s Unity Plan Shape Its Recovery?

Watch the recap of the online discussion with Valeriia Novak, Olga Tokariuk, and Galan Dall.

This event was for our subscribers. Click HERE to grab a special 40% discount!

The big picture:

With President Zelenskyy’s Internal Resilience Plan and the EU’s extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2027, Ukraine’s 6.3 million-strong diaspora has become central to the country’s recovery. Rebuilding Ukraine depends not only on the voluntary return of those willing to come home – but also on their effective integration abroad.

Driving the story: Future of Ukraine Fellow Valeriia Novak and Olga Tokariuk, Academy Associate at Chatham House, discussed the complex role Ukraine’s diaspora plays in national resilience – and how policy, rhetoric, and perception shape their futures in Europe.

Read Valeriia Novak’s article Why Zelenskyy Wants to Unite Ukrainians – and Why It Matters for the EU to get a deeper analysis.

State of play:

Right now, both integration into host countries and pathways for return remain fragmented. Host nations carry much of the burden, while displaced Ukrainians often lack structured guidance or legal clarity from Kyiv.

Ukraine’s new Unity Hubs aim to fill this gap. By offering legal, educational, integration and repatriation support, they formalise coordination between host governments, Ukraine and its citizens abroad.

Why it matters:
Unity Hubs can help streamline services, ease host-country pressure, and symbolise long-term support for displaced Ukrainians – crucial in an environment of rising refugee fatigue and geopolitical uncertainty.

Between the lines:
Some participants highlighted a growing contradiction: while Kyiv promotes return and unity, its current messaging can undermine refugees’ ability to secure protected status – particularly in countries like the UK. When the Ukrainian government implies that conditions are safe for return, host countries may use this to question continued protection or limit support, complicating integration.

Zoom out:
Public support for Ukrainian refugees remains relatively high but is declining. In a Europe marked by rising populism and anti-immigration sentiment, poorly managed integration and repatriation risk deepening social tensions.

The bottom line:
Unity Hubs are no silver bullet – and many Ukrainians will remain abroad long-term. But they offer a practical framework for reducing friction, coordinating responsibilities, and keeping displaced citizens connected to the Ukrainian state. For both Ukraine and Europe, this makes them a strategic investment in post-war resilience.

Yes, but: 

The Unity hub system is not a silver bullet that will oversee a complete return of Ukrainian refugees. Even by optimistic estimates, 1.7 million Ukrainians are predicted to remain in various host countries. The Unity Hub alone will not solve Ukraine’s severe loss of human capital. 

However, even if sizable chunks of Ukrainian refugees remain abroad, Unity Hubs provide a formal connection between the state and Ukrainians abroad. 

Speakers:

Valeriia Novak – Future of Ukraine Fellow 2024 at Visegrad Insight. She was born in Crimea, Ukraine, and is currently based in Kyiv, Ukraine. She brings over nine years of experience in the public sector, including roles in the Verkhovna Rada, Ministry of Justice, and various NGOs.

Olga Tokariuk – Academy Associate at Chatham House. Olga recently published a research paper with Chatham House’s Ukraine Forum, entitled ‘Ukraine’s Fight for Its People: Strategies for Refugee and Diaspora Engagement’. She is also a Senior Analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, where she focuses on state-sponsored information operations and disinformation.

Moderator: Galan Dall – Managing Editor at Visegrad Insight.