Speaking during the European Committee of the Regions plenary session, ECR Group 1st Vice-President Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of the Podkarpackie Region, delivered a strong political message of support to Ukraine, addressing Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for the Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

Welcoming the Ukrainian official on behalf of the ECR Group, Ortyl underlined the deep interdependency of Ukraine’s security and the resilience of the European Union’s eastern border regions. “Our security is closely interconnected. Our location, infrastructure and facilities play a crucial role in supporting Ukraine and this proximity sees growing interest in investment, including in dual-use technologies, as illustrated by initiatives such as the Drone Valley,” he stated, drawing on the direct experience of regions bordering Ukraine.

Highlighting decades of cooperation between Podkarpackie and its Ukrainian neighbouring regions, Ortyl stressed that the ongoing war has transformed this cooperation into an urgent necessity. “The war affects every part of Ukrainian society: children, women, families, local communities, and by municipalities and regions working under extraordinary pressure,” he said.

For Ortyl, solidarity cannot remain rhetorical. It must translate into practical and sustained engagement on the ground. “Solidarity with Ukraine must remain concrete: it means practical support, especially for the most vulnerable, and helping regions and municipalities maintain essential services, strengthen the resilience of their communities and prepare for recovery,” he concluded.