Every day of delay costs lives. Oleshky cannot wait: Vitalii Bezhin urges EU in Brussels to step up international pressure on Russia to save people

Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vitalii Bezhin has called on the European Union and European governments to step up political pressure on Russia to evacuate people from temporarily occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region. He made the appeal at a meeting in Brussels with European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib and the DG ECHO team.

"Around 2,000 people, including 35 children, remain in the occupied city without proper access to healthcare, electricity, gas and basic services. Russia is blocking humanitarian access, obstructing the delivery of aid and refusing to agree a humanitarian corridor. We call on European governments and the European Union to take a stronger, firmer stance. Oleshky cannot wait. Every day of delay costs lives. Without political pressure on Russia, it will be extremely difficult to save the people who remain under occupation," Vitalii Bezhin stressed.

The meeting also covered Ukraine's humanitarian needs, support for frontline communities, the evacuation of people from dangerous areas, housing, and help for those forced to leave their homes because of the war.

The meeting took place during European Week of Regions and Cities 2026, which is being attended by representatives of 100 Ukrainian communities from across the country.

Background

DG ECHO is the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.