Ukrainian mayors prepare for peace while Russian attacks continue
In any peace deal, Ukraine’s cities and their mayors will play a deciding role in returning the country to pre-war civic normality
According to Odesa City Hall, Russian air attacks on 18 February left hospitals, schools and residential buildings without water and electricity. Further drone attacks happend on 22 February.
KYIV
Despite political differences, Kyiv Mayor Klitschko calls on Ukrainians to unite behind President Zelensky
23 February 2025: Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has told European parliamentarians that US President Trump would not be able to divide the country. A few days before the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Mayor said that the country stood united behind President Volodymyr Zelensky. Klitschko, who previously was a fierce critic of the Ukrainian President now calls for political unity. He also rejected American calls for immediate elections. “Million of Ukrainians would be disfranchised if elections were held while war rages.”
The Kyiv mayor said that once peace returns to Ukraine, elections would be the logical next step but underscored that now is not the time.
“Elections are one of the democratic bases, but we have an unusual situation in Ukraine,” he said. “Almost 10 million Ukrainians are outside of the country, almost the same number of displaced people inside the country. A lot of people, around one million, are in uniform and fighting on the front line.”
“We are fighting for our independence and integrity and it would be a bad mistake to prepare right now for some election. Step by step. We have to unite our forces to stop the war. And after that, we have elections,” he added.
On his visit to Brussels. Mayor Klitschko also thanked Europe for the help provided during the past three years. While President Trump is now suggesting that Ukraine somehow reimburse America for its help, Europe has pledged to continue to selflessly stand by Ukraine.
After the end of the war, Ukraine will be much more part of the European family than ever before. "Ukraine must defend its desire to be part of the European family because everyone must understand the reason for this war. We want to be part of the European family and the Russian Federation has said no to us," he said.
During Mayor Klitscho’s visit to Brussels, Russian forces launched its largest single drone attack overnight since the start of the full-scale invasion, with 267 drones entering Ukrainian airspace, an Air Force spokesperson said on 23 February. Explosions were heard across the country, including in Kyiv and Odesa.
In a surprise announcement, Ukraine’s President Zelensky said at a news conference that he would be willing to step down from the presidency in exchange for Nato membership. “If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for peace and Nato membership for Ukraine,” he detailed. The President’s comments came after Donald Trump called the Ukrainian president a “dictator without elections” earlier in the week.
Reporting by Stepan V.
ODESA
Odesa Mayor calls the latest Russian attacks the most brutal in months
19 February 2025: While US President Trump commended Russia for not destroying Ukrainian cities, Russian forces launched an overnight (18 February 2025) attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Russian airstrikes also hit Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.
Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said the latest Russian attack was one of the most brutal in recent months, causing widespread destruction and leaving large areas without electricity, water, and heating. “A massive enemy strike on a densely populated area of the city has left many homes without electricity, water, and heating. Hospitals, clinics, and social infrastructure have also been affected,” Mayor Trukhanov told foreign journalists.
According to Odesa City Hall, the attack left 14 schools, 13 kindergartens, and over 500 residential buildings without power. “One of the largest districts of our city, home to over 250,000 residents, has been plunged into darkness and cold.”
In Germany, Wladimir Klitschko, the brother of Kyiv’s Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, warned against “peace at any price”.
Against the backdrop of talks between the new US administration and Russia on the war in Ukraine, former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko warned against a Diktat-Frieden, a dictated peace. A peace, which the people in his home country are also longing for, must be fair and have “consequences for the aggressor”, said Wladimir Klitschko during a round of talks with German government officials. “An unjust peace at any price’ was not an option for the Ukrainian people.”
Sources: Odesa City Hall; Defence Blog; Deutsche Welle; Die Zeit
KYIV MAYOR
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko: “I am very worried about a Trump-Putin deal for Ukraine”
17 February 2025: Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko believes that the war in Ukraine may end within the next two months. However, it would not be a victory for his country but a compromise dictated by the two superpowers, the US and Russia. In interviews with Ukrainian and German media outlets, the Mayor feared that after two years of fighting and heavy losses, the Ukrainian public might perceive any agreement between America and Russia as a betrayal, particularly if Ukraine is going to be largely left out of the negotiations. “I fear an unjust deal might lead to civic unrest.”
“We can imagine an end to hostilities, hopefully in a month or two. It is not clear on what terms, but I am sure it will be hard to call them positive. The so-called compromise will be very painful for every Ukrainian,” Vitali Klitschko said.
Mayor Klitschko said that after a so-called peace deal, it was important for the nation to remain united. “I am very afraid lest there be some riots, and God forbid talk about some civil confrontations, because we see from the history of different countries after hostilities, given such depressed moods, such things have already happened. Therefore, unity and unification of all - both branches of government and society - is extremely important,” Klitschko insisted.
Vitali Klitschko also emphasised that every branch of government will have to be prepared to re-integrate thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who will return to civilian life. “After the end of hostilities, at least a third of servicemen from the nearly one million-strong Ukrainian army will be transferred to the reserves, and they will need to find jobs quickly.”
Mayor Klitschko also called on his European colleagues to push for Europe to be an integral part of any peace negotiations. “Europe belongs at the negotiating table. We fight for European values. Ukraine is Europe! Putin and Trump must not negotiate among themselves.”
Vitali Klitschko was elected Mayor of Kyiv in May 2014 and re-elected in 2020. In January 2025, he was awarded the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award for his extraordinary leadership in fostering civic engagement, even amidst the extreme challenges of war.
Sources: Glavred news agency; German news outlets; European Committee of the Regions; EuroCities; Office of the Mayor of Kyiv
Women Mayors will report regularly from Ukraine and how Ukrainian cities and their mayors respond to a possible peace deal. We will also review any help and assistance provided by European and American cities to communities and people in post-war Ukraine.
EUROPEAN MAYORS
European mayors will support Ukraine like never before
16 February 2025: Mathias De Clercq, Vice-President of Eurocities and Mayor of Ghent, stated his support for Ukraine’s cities and mayors: “Mayors champion democracy and the rule of law in Europe and beyond. These principles need to be respected when discussions take place on the future of Ukraine. And it is evident that these discussions need to involve Ukraine and the European Union.”
European cities continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine as they have done for the last three years. This continued support reflects erstwhile efforts across the spectrum of European society to stand by a neighbour in their time of need.
Beyond emergency assistance, welcoming millions of refugees and providing urgent relief in the form of shelter, medical care, education and employment opportunities, cities continue to play a vital role in delivering ongoing aid and resources to Ukrainian communities affected by Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, city leaders reiterate that the EU must fully recognise their central role in Ukraine’s recovery. European cities’ expertise and leadership will be indispensable to ensure that Ukraine’s cities not only rebuild but emerge stronger and more sustainable.
As the war persists, new initiatives have emerged to aid Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction. European cities are funding medical equipment, supporting circular economy initiatives and waste management improvements, and strengthening governance through financial aid, technical assistance and cultural exchanges.
Twinning agreements between European and Ukrainian cities have fostered direct partnerships, ensuring more tailored and effective support.
Cities are also driving plans for the sustainable reconstruction of Ukrainian urban areas. They are connecting Ukrainian municipalities with EU Mission Cities to advance climate-neutral rebuilding.
By prioritising green infrastructure, energy efficiency and resilient urban planning, city-led initiatives are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous future for Ukraine.
Source: EuroCities