“Every day of delay costs lives. Oleshky cannot wait”: Vitalii Bezghin in Brussels called on the EU to increase international pressure on Russia

During a working visit to Brussels, Vitalii Bezghin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine, met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, and representatives of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

The parties discussed Ukraine’s humanitarian needs, support for frontline communities, evacuation from dangerous territories, housing and assistance for people forced to leave their homes because of the war.

Particular attention was paid to the situation in temporarily occupied Oleshky in Kherson region. Tetiana Hasanenko, Head of the Oleshky City Military Administration, described the humanitarian crisis in the city.

According to the information presented at the meeting, approximately 2,000 people, including 35 children, remain in critical conditions. Residents face hunger and a lack of medical care, electricity, gas and basic services. Russia is blocking humanitarian access and refusing to agree to an evacuation corridor.

“We therefore call on European governments and the European Union to take a stronger, firmer position. Without political pressure on Russia, it is extremely difficult to save these people. Every day of delay costs lives.”

The Ukrainian side stressed the need to increase international pressure on Russia to secure humanitarian access to Oleshky and the urgent evacuation of civilians.

Support for frontline communities, evacuation of the population and assistance for people affected by the war remain important areas of Ukraine’s cooperation with European partners.