In response to the evident and urgent humanitarian need, cities in the rest of Europe responded fast to the outbreak of war in Ukraine, by preparing to welcome and integrate refugees, as well as by sending aid provisions.

As the Russian attacks increasingly targeted Ukrainian cities – including the Eurocities member cities of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa – mayors from West and East undertook innumerable solidarity actions and held many calls, including with Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, and President of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, to see what more can be done.

These ties are now at the core of efforts to look ahead to reconstruction and recovery, while continuing to do everything necessary and possible in the meantime.