On May 8 and 9, 2024, during Europe Day, Stand With Ukraine participated in the second edition of the International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv. This event provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Europe and Ukraine and to reaffirm European support in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Representatives from 18 countries gathered in Kyiv for the summit, which included notable figures such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. A significant French delegation also participated in the event: Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, Christian Debève, Regional Councillor of Grand Est, Patrick Molinoz, Vice-President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, Nadia Pellefigue, Vice-President, and Sébastien Denaja, Regional Councillor of the Occitanie Region.
During the summit, several agreements were signed. Key topics addressed included Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, the need for peace to return to Europe, the work of internally displaced persons in Ukraine, and the rehabilitation of war victims.
In his speech, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine endangered all of Europe and that the Russian president must be defeated to prevent the return of war to the continent. He also expressed his hope for negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession to begin in June.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, reiterated Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine and expressed confidence in Ukraine’s EU membership, although acknowledging the challenges it may face.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, at the International Summit of Cities and Regions
Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the Ukrainian President, stated that preparations had begun for the upcoming global summit on peace in Ukraine, set to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16.
At the conclusion of the summit, 8 new territorial agreements and memorandums were signed, along with 4 international medical partnerships. A declaration from the summit participants aimed at strengthening cooperation was also published, and a partnership between Régions de France and the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) was announced.
Since the previous summit on April 20, 2023, over 1600 partnerships have been signed. Stand With Ukraine is contributing to this effort by supporting over 60 partnerships between France and Ukraine.
