1,000 days of full-scale war: Support of cities and regions for Ukraine is unwavering

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) marks the 1,000th day since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with declarations of support for Ukrainian communities and condemnation of Russia's "war of aggression".

Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions, paid tribute to the courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people and to local and regional authorities, which he described as "a major source of the country's remarkable resilience". He also called on Russia to release local and regional officials held in captivity.

Leaders of Kyiv, the region of Kharkiv and the now-occupied city of Mariupol said that the 1,000 days of the conflict had been characterised by "heroic resistance" and "continuous alerts, pain and losses" - in the words of Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, head of Kharkiv Regional Council - and "resilience and commitment to the principles of democracy" on the part of local and regional administrations, as Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, stated.

The 1,000-day milestone came two days before a meeting of the leadership of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, at which the European Committee of the Regions, representatives of cities, regions, and territorial associations from Ukraine and EU and like-minded partners will discuss the current challenges facing Ukraine. The meeting will also tackle priorities in view of the next Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), which will be held in Rome in July 2025, and endorse a related declaration. Davide La Cecilia, Italy's Special Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, will address the meeting, which will be held in Brussels on 21 November.

The Alliance is seeking to ensure that Ukraine's reconstruction process is inclusive, transparent, and locally driven and to reinforce the local and regional dimension of Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts. To ensure that local and regional authorities in Ukraine have sufficient capacity and resources, the Alliance is pressing for clearer funding mechanisms, tailored financial support, and collaborative frameworks. The Alliance is also arguing for long-term financial support from the EU for partnerships and projects pairing EU and Ukrainian sub-national administrations.

On 20 November, during the 163rd plenary session of the CoR in a debate to mark the 30th anniversary of the CoR, President Cordeiro will highlight the need to continue supporting Ukrainian local and regional authorities during Ukraine's process of reconstruction and accession to the EU.

Separately, CoR members will on 20 November discuss a concrete example of direct support for municipalities in Ukraine, at the request of a Dutch member, Rob Jonkman (NL/EPP).

Quotes:

• Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PT/PES), President of the European Committee of the Regions: "1,000 days after the start of the unjustifiable and illegal Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine, we pay tribute to the admirable courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people. Today, as every day since the start of the war, we voice our strong condemnation of Russia's war of aggression and extend heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the victims and their families, and to all Ukrainians who have withstood days and nights of attacks against their homes, hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure. Russia must release local and regional officials held in captivity, without further delay. Local and regional authorities have been a major source of the country's remarkable resilience and remain on the frontline, providing key services to their people and ensuring the delivery of life-saving aid. We will continue to support Ukraine in facing the hardships of the forthcoming winter. Today, as every day, we must never forget that this struggle is ours too. Whatever it takes, as long as it takes, we stand with Ukraine."

• Vitaly Klitschko, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Mayor of Kyiv, and honorary member of the CoR: "Ukrainian local self-government is demonstrating its resilience and commitment to the principles of democracy despite Russian aggression and internal pressure. We restore destroyed houses, construct housing for internally displaced persons, provide services to residents and help military units. Our struggle is strengthened by knowing that we are not alone - democratic countries in Europe and around the world stand with us. For that, we are very grateful. We are confident in our common victory, so we are preparing to rebuild and restore our country. The Concept for the Recovery of Local Self-Government in Ukraine was developed by the Association of Ukrainian Cities in cooperation with international partners, including the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. The Concept defines what should be done to implement the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Ukraine and should be implemented at the state level. This will provide a clear action plan, attract the resources necessary to rebuild municipalities and continue the decentralisation reform. Not only must we rebuild everything that has been destroyed, but we must also create legislative and transparent mechanisms for good governance at all levels, with an effective distribution of powers, secured by finance and increased citizen engagement in governance. Ukrainians should be willing to return to democratic Ukraine, where they will find great opportunities and prospects."

• Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, head of Kharkiv Regional Council and President of Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils: "For a thousand days and nights since the launch of the full-scale Russian invasion in Ukraine we have been fighting against the aggressor and standing for our country sovereignty and right to live. It is a thousand days of heroic resistance, of struggle for the freedom and independence of Ukraine, of support and invincibility, of rage and victories. Despite severe damage, daily shelling, continuous alerts, pain and losses, the Ukrainian people have stood strong, protecting the right of Ukraine to exist and not only that: we have been guarding the calm and peace for whole Europe, protecting European values and a peaceful future. The steadfast support of the international community and all democratic countries is the key to put an end to this war once and for all, to achieve Ukraine's victory and a just peace!"

• Vadym Boichenko, Chair of the Association of Ukrainian Cities' Section on the Development of De-occupied and Temporarily Occupied Municipalities, and Mayor of Mariupol: "1,000 days ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For Mariupol, these days became a symbol of resilience, struggle, and real tragedy. The Mariupol Drama Theatre has forever gone down in world history as an example of a horrific war crime, and Azovstal, thanks to the city's defenders, is associated with the true unconquered Ukrainian spirit. Our city, which suffered terrible destruction and losses, held the defence for 86 days, giving the military time to prepare for fierce battles, became an example of the courage of its community, which, despite the occupation, continues to maintain a spirit of unity and desire to return home. The I'Mariupol support centres, which we have established in 21 cities of Ukraine, have united Mariupol residents and, thanks to the support of the international community, we have managed to do the most important thing - to keep our community in evacuation and help people return to life. Ukraine must restore its territorial integrity, bring people home, and rebuild its cities. Mariupol, as a symbol of resilience, should become one of the shining examples of recovery and assistance. This is a matter of both justice and the capacity of Ukraine and our international partners, with whom we are fighting for freedom and democracy. Our common goal is to win the war, protect Ukrainians, bring back all our defenders from captivity, and restore justice for everyone. I thank all the European partners who are already helping and ask them not to stop and to hold Russia accountable for all the crimes committed against our country and people. Only together can we win and restore justice both for Mariupol and for the whole of Ukraine."

Background information:

• According to the Association of Ukrainian Cities, seven mayors are currently being held in Russian captivity: Oleksandr Babych, mayor of Hola Prystan; Serhii Khilchenko, mayor of Khrestivka; Ihol Kolykhaiev, mayor of Kherson; Dmytro Liakhno, mayor of Hornostaivka; Yevhenii Matvieiev, mayor of Dniprorudne; Olena Peleshock, mayor of Zelenyi Pid; and Oleksandr Shmyhol, mayor of Vilhivka.

• The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine was created in June 2022 and brings together representatives of territorial associations from Ukraine and the European Union, the European Committee of the Regions, the Congress of the Council of Europe, individual cities and regions, international financial institutions and a range of other partners. The CoR serves as the secretariat of the Alliance.

• Members of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine will meet in Brussels on 21 November, shortly after the next plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions. The meeting will be webstreamed.

• The European Committee of the Regions also works with Ukrainian regions and municipalities through a Working Group on Ukraine, a political body- currently chaired by Aleksandra Dulkiewicz (PL/EPP), mayor of Gdańsk- that monitors the developments in Ukraine with particular attention to decentralisation reform, capacity building for local and regional authorities, and the alignment with the EU acquis on Regional Policy.

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