As we mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, we pause to reflect on the immense human cost of the war — and on the extraordinary solidarity shown across Europe. From the earliest days of the invasion, cities and regions stepped forward to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, support their Ukrainian partners, and welcome millions of displaced people seeking safety.
Nowhere has this regional solidarity been more visible than in Europe’s eastern border regions. Positioned closest to the conflict, they have stood on the frontline of humanitarian response — organising transport, delivering medical aid, hosting refugees, and building long-term partnerships to help Ukraine endure and rebuild. Their actions have demonstrated that cohesion and compassion are not abstract European values, but living commitments expressed through practical support.
The Wielkopolska Region in Poland offers a powerful example of this sustained engagement. Since 2022, Wielkopolska under the leadership of President Marek Woźniak has provided direct financial support to Ukraine. Its regional rail company, Koleje Wielkopolskie, allocated PLN 2.5 million to transport Ukrainians fleeing the war, including special humanitarian trains running from Przemyśl — near the Ukrainian border — to Poznań. These trains became lifelines for thousands escaping the violence.
Medical assistance has been another cornerstone of support. Wielkopolska donated 11 ambulances, seven of which were delivered to the Kharkiv Region — its long-standing Ukrainian partner region — at a cost of approximately PLN 5 million. Additional medical equipment, including prosthetic components worth PLN 1.2 million, has also been transferred to Kharkiv, strengthening local healthcare services under immense wartime pressure. Field beds and other essential supplies have likewise been purchased and sent to Ukraine.
Beyond emergency aid, Wielkopolska has invested in people-to-people solidarity. Every year since the outbreak of the war, the region has organised summer camps for children from the Kharkiv Region, offering them safety, respite and a sense of normalcy amid the trauma of conflict.
At the same time, the region has worked to ensure that those seeking refuge in Poland receive comprehensive support. The Wielkopolska Centres for Integration of Foreigners — established by the Regional Centre for Social Policy — operate in Poznań, Kalisz, Konin, Leszno and Piła. These centres provide translation assistance, legal and psychological advice, and integration activities. To date, they have supported approximately 4,500 migrants from Ukraine, helping families rebuild their lives with dignity.
Wielkopolska’s actions reflect a broader truth: Europe’s regions and cities have been indispensable actors in responding to this war. Their proximity to citizens enables swift action, practical solutions and long-term engagement. Through partnerships with Ukrainian counterparts — particularly in heavily affected eastern regions such as Kharkiv — they have maintained vital channels of cooperation even in the darkest moments.
Four years on, the war continues. The needs remain immense. But so too does Europe’s solidarity. The commitment shown by regions like Wielkopolska reminds us that support for Ukraine is not only a matter of national governments or international institutions — it is also a story of local leadership, cross-border partnership and communities standing together.
As we commemorate this anniversary, we reaffirm that this solidarity must endure — for as long as it takes.