The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted on 26 March 2024 a Declaration on thesecond anniversary of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, presented by Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, L, ILDG) and Gunn-Marit Helgesen (Norway, R, EPP/CCE).
The Congress reiterated its condemnation of the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
In the two years since it was launched, this brutal war has caused the loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives as well as massive destruction throughout Ukraine, forcing millions of people to flee their homes and spreading violence and disinformation, with dramatic long-term repercussions on cities and communities in Ukraine and worldwide.
The Congress highlighted the critical importance of seeking justice for victims and holding Russia accountable and welcomed the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, whose action it will support by making sure claims can be taken swiftly including through local and regional authorities.
In its Declaration, the Congress again joined the international community’s call for the Russian Federation to end its unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine and withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine immediately, fully and unconditionally, and condemned the horrific war crimes as well as acts of possible genocide that have been committed by Russian forces.
The Congress deplored in particular the impact of the war on the children of Ukraine, including those who have been internally displaced, forced to flee Ukraine, separated from their families and/or forcibly deported by the Russian authorities, and called on local and regional authorities where these children are presently living to take comprehensive action to protect them.
The Declaration also condemned the illegal conduct of so-called elections by the Russian Federation in regions within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine in autumn 2023 and of the Russian presidential elections in March 2024 in the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine, and emphasised that such actions, which are in flagrant breach of international law, undermine international peace and security and violate the right of citizens to participate in the conduct of local affairs.
The Congress reiterated its solidarity with Ukrainian citizens and their elected leaders, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and resilience in defending their country against the aggressor State, and called on European cities and regions to continue providing large-scale financial, security and humanitarian assistance to their Ukrainian counterparts, including through possible direct, multi-faceted partnerships.
The Declaration commended the solidarity and unity of Europeans and their cities and municipalities, which have welcomed millions of people fleeing the war against Ukraine and provided assistance and support to meet their needs from the outset of the full-scale aggression, and called for this support to be maintained and increased in order to help Ukraine to defend itself and its people.
The Congress expressed its support for Ukraine’s reform efforts as part of its request for accession to the European Union as well as its firm belief that Ukraine’s decentralisation and local self-government reform significantly contributes to its resilience at local and regional levels, and underlined the importance of pursuing the reform process during the post-war recovery. The Congress will continue to provide its support in these efforts through the large number of its co-operation projects in Ukraine.
Congress members reiterated that they stand by the Ukrainian people at this historically decisive time for Ukraine and the world and believe in a common, democratic future based on respect for international law and a just peace.
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