On 6 June, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Congress Marc Cools opened the 3^rd International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv. Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights Melanie Lepoultier (ILDG, France) was also part of the high-level Congress delegation visiting Kyiv.

“Showing democratic resilience by improving citizens’ daily lives and strengthening their trust in public institutions, having strong and vibrant communities is the best answer to those who want to destroy Ukraine,” stressed Marc Cools during the visit in Ukraine. “The work done at local level, democratic innovation and active citizenship show the world that the European democratic spirit, values and identity are thriving in Ukraine and that despite the war and destruction the Ukrainian spirit and identity remain strong,” he said.

The visit received strong approval among ILDG members.

“Sincere thanks to Marc Cools, Mathieu Mori, and all representatives of the Council of Europe, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities — for your clear stance in support of Ukraine, expressed during today’s Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv.

At this crucial time, as our country continues to fight for freedom, justice, and territorial integrity, such solidarity is more than a gesture — it is a reaffirmation of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the institutions of the Council of Europe.

On behalf of local self-government bodies of the Dnipropetrovsk region, I deeply appreciate your words of support, which echo the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for peace, democracy, and a European future.

A strong democracy today means a strong, sovereign, and democratic Ukraine in the family of European nations tomorrow”, wrote Mykola Lukashuk, Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council