A look back at the 3rd Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv, June 5-6, 2025
As Ukraine continues to face Russian aggression, the 3rd Summit of Cities and Regions was a powerful moment of solidarity and commitment. President Volodymyr Zelensky opened the meeting by emphasizing how direct ties between communities are essential to resist, rebuild, and prepare for the future.
The French delegation, the largest in size, demonstrated the concrete commitment of French local authorities, mobilized to provide lasting support, as close as possible to where needs are.
Five new strategic partnerships were signed to strengthen exchanges between French and Ukrainian territories:
✅ Île-de-France with the Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts for the training of Ukrainian civil servants in the management of European grant programs
✅ Amiens with Kryvyi Rih
✅ Chaumont with Lyubotyn
✅ Nantes and Saint-Nazaire with Kherson
✅ Montpellier with Mykolaiv
Stand With Ukraine supported cooperation between cities as part of our Misto Match program, which embodies direct, human, and structural cooperation that is a pillar of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
We are delighted to have contributed to the significant presence of representatives from many French territories who participated in the Summit: Nantes, Montpellier, Chaumont, Strasbourg, Amiens, Palaiseau, and other cities, as well as the Île-de-France, Occitanie, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions. 🎖 Another significant moment for France: President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the “Heart of Gold” award to Véronique Bertholle, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg.eu, for her personal commitment to humanitarian aid and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
🙏 We warmly thank the Embassy of Ukraine in France , the French Embassy in Ukraine, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ukrainian Presidency and the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, headed by Minister Oleksii Kuleba, his First Deputy Minister Alona Shkrum and their team, for their unwavering commitment.
A big thank you also to all the French elected officials present in Kyiv, whose presence, despite the risks, sent a strong message of solidarity and courage. The night of June 5-6 was marked by particularly intense bombing of Kyiv. The French delegation, like all participants, had to spend part of the night in shelters. This situation only strengthened everyone’s determination to be there, together, on the ground, alongside the Ukrainians.
For nearly three years, Stand With Ukraine has been working to develop direct links between populations and communities, convinced that these partnerships are essential to Ukraine’s reconstruction and victory.
Thank you all for your cooperation and support!
