The EESC, just a week ahead of the European Council's June Summit, adopted a resolution strongly backing EU candidate status being granted unconditionally to Ukraine and pledging European civil society's commitment to working hand in hand with Ukrainians to build their country back better.

At its June plenary, the EESC adopted a second resolution on Ukraine. Entitled From relief to reconstruction-proposals by the European civil society, the resolution emphasises that the country should be granted accession to the EU once it meets requirements for membership. The resolution clearly states that Ukraine's candidacy should not be to the detriment of the ongoing accession process for Western Balkans countries.

On the reconstruction of the country, the resolution highlights the immediate need for European and international financial assistance to prevent a total breakdown of the Ukrainian economy. 

The EESC President Christa Schweng said "Our resolution sends a clear message to the Commission and the Council to grant Ukraine candidate status. Ukraine deserves it and its people must be given clear European prospects."

The president of the Workers' Group, Oliver Röpke, said "We will be working together with Ukraine for Ukraine to put in place gradual steps to meet the standards required by the European treaties to join the Union".

Stefano Mallia, president of the Employers' Group, said: "We are calling on the EU institutions to provide specific emergency funding for SMEs, which should first go  towards preserving SMEs and then towards helping them grow".

Séamus Boland, president of the Civil Society Organisations' Group, said "Civil society actors must be at the heart of the planning, implementation and monitoring of EU and national humanitarian assistance to Ukraine – both during the war and in the re-building of the country".

Marta Barandiy, chair of "Promote Ukraine", said "We need your help to rebuild the country", while Mariya Korolchuk, speaking on behalf of NGOs CORE and Funky Citizens, said in a very emotional speech that the Ukrainian people were determined to win and rebuild Ukraine.

Taking the floor, Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Ukrainian Mission to the EU, thanked the EU Member States for their solidarity, underlining that EU candidacy status was an "existential moment for us". (at)