Local and regional Alliance for Ukraine – Latest EU statements and news on the war in Ukraine

Urgent appeal to cities and regions to donate power generators and heating equipment

This is the letter to cities and regions signed by the Commissioners for Crisis Management, and Cohesion and Reforms, the President of the CoR, and the Chair of the CoR’s working group Ukraine. They stress the need to boost donations of energy items, both new and old. The Commission has set up a “resEU energy hub” in Poland to receive and channel donations to Ukraine, with available door-to-door transport financed by the Union: ECHO-Donations@ec.europa.eu

Entry points for contact for those who have energy material to donate:
• ECHO Emergency Response Coordination Centre: functional mailbox ECHO-ERCC@ec.europa.eu
• Energy Community Secretariat: functional mailbox UkraineEmergencySupport@energy-community.org

AEBR Resolution of 25 February 2022

(updated on 17 December 2022)

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. Besides coordinating support to Ukrainian cities and regions, there is a follow-up of abducted mayors whose whereabouts are still unknown.

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 Alliance is open to cooperation and invites local and regional authorities and their associations from across Europe to join the efforts to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. If you would like to join, please contact: SupportUkraine@cor.europa.eu

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. While paving the way for reconstruction when the war is over, there is a need to unite efforts to support most urgent needs, such as power generators and heating equipment. This is the CoR’s and Commission’s joint appeal to cities and regions, and this is the letter to cities and regions signed by the Commission and the CoR asking for more donations of energy items, and informing about the Commission’s “resEU energy hub” in Poland to receive and channel donations to Ukraine, with available door-to-door transport financed by the Union: ECHO-Donations@ec.europa.eu

The top priority for replenishment is the autotransformers fleet. The amount of other damaged primary equipment (high voltage circuit breakers, disconnectors, surge arresters, measurement transformers, and shunt reactors) is tremendous as well. Another priority is relay protection and automation devices.

Besides the humanitarian crisis, there are complicated components related to the economy, European energy dependence, and geostrategic aspects, among others. Even the traditionally neutral Finland and Sweden have joined 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.

The first political meeting of the Alliance was organized on 29 November, where a joint view on the urgent needs was adopted by European and Ukrainian regions and cities.

The CoR adopted an opinion on The role of EU cities and regions in rebuilding Ukraine during the 10-11 October plenary.

Cross-border programmes with Ukraine and Moldova have been financially reinforced, and more CBC is expected.

News and statements by EU institutions:

Latest news from the European External Action Service (EEAS): #StandWithUkraine

This is a CPMR’s issue paper on actions and needs in support of Ukraine. The CPMR is the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions.

Various statements have been published on Russia’s illegal actions in several Ukrainian regions: the kidnapping of the Mayor of Kherson, …

16 December 2022:

12 December 2022: Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council

Resources for local and regional action

CoR’s Info-Support Hub for Regions and Cities

Cities4Cities initiative by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe

Alliance of Local and Regional Authorities for the Reconstruction of Ukraine

About disinformation: EUvsDisinfo

Lviv Media Forum

Resources for refugees

Humanitarian aid website

Information for people fleeing the war

Publications

Spatial Foresight’s article Regional sensitivities to the consequences of the war in Ukraine
Iselin Mulvik and Hanna Siarova, PPMI, Cities and the Ukrainian refugees – briefing, European Parliament Think Tank, June 2022
…

Past news and statements

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.

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Local and regional Alliance for Ukraine – Latest EU statements and news on the war in Ukraine

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