The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe held a debate on the war in Ukraine on Tuesday 25 October, with online contributions from the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, and the Ukrainian Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksiy Chernyshov.
Stressing the impact of the war on Ukrainian civilians who have been killed, made refugees or weakened by the bombing of essential infrastructure, the Mayor of Kiev recalled that more than 50 local government officials had been kidnapped since the beginning of the conflict.
He also said that Ukraine is ready to work with the Congress and the Council of Europe as a whole on a “Marshall Plan” for the reconstruction of the country.
“Our administration continues to function despite the bombing and the imposition of martial law”, said Mr Chernyshov, outlining Ukraine’s urgent needs and a medium- to long-term recovery plan.
“We have our eyes on this prospect, bearing in mind the reforms needed within the framework of a State governed by the Rule of law, even if, for the moment, the main thing is to survive”.
During the debate, Congress members stressed the importance of partnerships with Ukrainian cities and regions, notably through the Cities4cities platform launched in this perspective. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)