Local and regional Alliance for Ukraine – Latest EU statements and news on the war in Ukraine
AEBR Resolution of 25 February 2022
(updated on 26 July 2022)
During its plenary session on 30 June 2022, the European Committee of the Regions and the associations of local and regional authorities launched an Alliance of Local and Regional Authorities for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. See the Concept note of the Alliance in English and in Ukrainian and the press release of the launch of the Alliance.
The war continues, but the expected Blitzkrieg seems to become a prolonged conflict that could also have very adverse effects on Putin’s regime (and the rest of Europe). Ukraine resists, and the international community is becoming more united in supporting the Ukrainian people and establishing sanctions against Russia and Russian interests.
Besides the humanitarian crisis, there are complicated components related to the economy, the European needs regarding energy, and geostrategic aspects, among others. Even the traditionally neutral Finland and Sweden are joining NATO.
We would also like to draw your attention to the CoR’s Info-Support Hub for Regions and Cities and the Cities4Cities initiative by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe. A similar initiative could be initiated by border or cross-border regions in Europe.
Every 2-3 weeks, major European associations of regions and municipalities meet under the coordination of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to coordinate efforts and get updated information through Ukrainian partners such as the Association of Ukrainian Cities, which will be 30 at the end of June. Besides coordinating support to Ukrainian cities and regions, there is a follow-up of abducted mayors whose whereabouts are still unknown.
News and statements by EU institutions:
- 26 July 2022, Statement by the President of the European Commission following the political agreement on the Council Regulation on coordinated demand reduction measures for gas.
- 26 July, Russia: EU renews economic sanctions over Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine for further six months
- 26 July, EU report notes important steps taken in the implementation of the reform agenda
- 25 July, European Peace Facility: EU support to Ukraine increased to €2.5 billion
- 22 July, Commission proposes a temporary short-term derogation from certain agricultural policy rules to increase the production of cereals
- 21 July, EU adopts “maintenance and alignment” package
20 July, FAST-CARE: Council adopts negotiating mandate on further help for refugees from Ukraine and on addressing the consequences of Russia’s aggression
- 15 July, Ukraine: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on Russian attacks against civilian targets
- 14 July, Joint statement on supporting Ukraine in its proceeding at the International Court of Justice
- 11 July, Informal Home Affairs Council: EU launches the Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova
- 8 July, EU supports Ukrainian border management agencies in securing their operation
- 6 July, Address of President von der Leyen to the Ukrainian Parliament following the European Council decision granting Ukraine candidate status
- 5 July, Keynote speech by President von der Leyen at the opening ceremony of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano
- 1 July, Supporting Ukrainian exports and improving connections to the EU: EU strengthens cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova
- 30 June, The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity announced electricity trade between Ukraine and the EU to start on 30 June.
- On 29 June, the Commission adopted the FAST-CARE (Flexible Assistance to Territories) package to help public authorities address the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It extends already provided support by CARE (Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe).
- 28 June, Statement by the High Representative on the attack in Kremenchuk
- 28 June, G7 Leaders’ Communiqué – Executive Summary
- 27 June, G7 Statement on support for Ukraine
- On 26 June, the Association of Ukrainian Cities celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
- 23 June 2022, European Council conclusions on Ukraine, the membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, Western Balkans and external relations.
- …
- On 19 May, MEPs discussed the prosecution of Russian war crimes and genocide in Ukraine, energy security after Russia’s invasion and the recent cuts in the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria.
- Also on 18 May, the commission detailed a relief and reconstruction plan for Ukraine, while Moldovan president Maia Sandu addressed MEPs on the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
- And, on 18 May too, the Commission put forward the RePowerEU plan, which aims to help the diversification of fossil fuel imports in the bloc, as the EU aims to get rid of its dependence on Russian energy supplies, starting with the gas. The Parliament’s trade committee also voted to lift all import duties on any product coming from Ukraine in an effort to help the country’s economy.
- On Tuesday 17 May, defence ministers also talked about Russia and their coordinated efforts.
- Press remarks by HR Josep Borrell at the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 May.
- Also on 16 May 2022, foreign ministers from the Western Balkan countries were invited for lunch with their EU colleagues to calm certain uncertainties in the region. Namely, that the accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia would not mean a setback for the region with aspiring countries.
- EU Observer reported that Serbia still refused to impose sanctions on Russia. Serbia would still not join international sanctions against Russia, President Aleksandar Vučić told TV network Prva TV on 15 May. Read more.
- Commitments on the Global Food Security Consequences of Russia’s War of Aggression against Ukraine by G7 Foreign Ministers on 14 May.
- Statement on Russia’s war against Ukraine by G7 Foreign Ministers on 14 May.
- Declaration by the HR on behalf of the EU on Russian cyber operations against Ukraine on 10 May.
- Europe Day statement by President Charles Michel in Odesa.
- On 6 May, the Council has adopted a mandate on new rules for Eurojust, the EU agency for judicial cooperation in criminal matters, to preserve, analyse and store evidence on core international crimes, such as war crimes.
- Statement by President Ursula von der Leyen at the High-level International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine on 5 May; and remarks by President Charles Michel
- Statement by High Representative Borrell on 29 April on the recent security incidents in Transnistria.
- President Michel’s message to the Ukrainian Congress of local and regional authorities, 27 April 2022. Statement by President von der Leyen on local and regional cooperation between Ukraine and the EU for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- The Russian Federation ceased to be a member State of the Council of Europe as of 16 March 2022 by a decision of its Committee of Ministers.
Humanitarian aid website
Information for people fleeing the war
CoR’s Info-Support Hub for Regions and Cities
Cities4Cities initiative by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe
About disinformation: EUvsDisinfo
Lviv Media Forum
Publications
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