The European Economic and Social Committee on 24 March adopted a resolution on the war in Ukraine and its economic, social and environmental impact against the background of a European Council summit placing the war at top of the agenda.

The resolution was adopted by the plenary session following a debate with home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson and several leading representatives of Ukrainian and Russian civil society.

EESC members expressed their solidarity with Ukraine and highlighted the role of civil society in assisting Ukrainian people and refugees.

Opening the debate, EESC President Christa Schweng stressed: "This invasion has put our security and values under threat, and the EU rightfully and forcefully stands with Ukraine, responding in unity and solidarity".

Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson highlighted the EESC's extremely important role in using its knowledge on the ground. Europe has so far welcomed 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees, including 1.8 million children. Civil society's unprecedented solidarity to people fleeing the war in Ukraine has been remarkable, "making all of us proud to be Europeans", said Ms Johansson.

The Presidents of the EESC's three Groups, rapporteurs for the resolution, underlined the crucial challenges Europe is facing as a consequence of the war.

Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers' Group said, "We welcome in our resolution the humanitarian actions taken so far and we urge Member States to do more to help Ukraine".

Oliver Röpke, President of Workers' Group said: "One of my key messages is that the international community and Europe has to stand united in this situation".

Séamus Boland, President of the Diversity Europe Group, said: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine represents the most violent unprovoked aggression on the European continent since 1939 and we must stand against it".

Representatives from Ukrainian and Russian civil society brought a strong emotional impact to the debate through their first-hand experiences of the war.
The founder of the Open Russia movement, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, flagged up the disastrous consequences of disinformation and said: "Trying to combat disinformation is our prerogative, even beyond Russia".

The President of the National Tripartite Social and Economic Council of Ukraine, Anatoliy Kinakh, described Russia's acts as " not only a military aggression, but a crime against civilisation".

Alexander Shubin, chair of the Ukrainian Civil Society Platform, asked Europe to continue to support Ukraine and its aspirations to be part of the European family.

Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, asked European employers and business organisations to support Ukrainian companies.

Finally, Yevgenya Pavlova, from the Ukraine National Assembly of People with Disabilities, urged people not to forget Ukrainians with disabilities, who need special attention. (at)

The full text of the EESC resolution can be found on the EESC website.