normal life
The Kyiv mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, met with Ada Colau in Kyiv City Hall after dark to view the area hit on Zhylianska street. The visit followed a recent attack that left several dead, including a pregnant woman. The memory of that day lingered as Kyiv officials recalled a wave of strikes that had targeted hundreds of buildings across the city.
As they stood near the ruins, a sense of normalcy clashed with the grim reality of war. A delivery rider paused to snap a quick selfie with the visiting mayor, a small moment that underscored how life tried to resume amid ongoing violence. Yet the image of a toppled skyscraper from an October assault on Lva Tolstoho street reminded residents that the city could not fully escape the effects of war. Even as streets and squares bearing names connected to Russia were sometimes left behind, a Tolstoy plaque remained in place on a road once struck by missiles.
Sandbags lined the windows of Kyiv City Hall, a stark reminder of the city’s preparedness and resilience in the face of danger.
Sarajevo example
Colau’s visit was portrayed as a rapid gesture meant to symbolize Barcelona’s support for Kyiv. Klitschko has welcomed Barcelona on other occasions, and Kyiv is set to participate as a guest city at future cultural events in Barcelona. The two leaders signaled a deepening partnership that he hoped would grow over time.
During the discussion, Klitschko drew a historical parallel, noting Barcelona’s tradition of solidarity during difficult times, much like the ties with Sarajevo during past Balkan conflicts. He framed current events as an invasion that Europe must confront together, emphasizing that values of welcome and solidarity endure even under strain.
Refugees in Barcelona
Ada Colau spoke of the thousands who arrived at Sants station and were warmly welcomed by locals during the refugee influx resulting from the occupation. Barcelona has assisted thousands of Ukrainians since the war began, with many passing through the city and others staying longer. The community logged thousands of registrations, with a large share of those aided being women and children under the age of eighteen.
Colau expressed appreciation for the support received and reiterated a hope for brighter days ahead. She described the situation as a time of terrorism and aggression that seeks to disrupt daily life, but she insisted that Barcelona would remain part of the broader family of European cities offering aid and solidarity.
Ada Colau traveled to Ukraine with Kyiv’s mayor to show ongoing backing for the capital and to discuss practical assistance. The visit underscored a shared commitment to helping Kyiv survive the present crisis and to maintaining a perspective of unity across European cities.
material support
Colau toured Kyiv with the city’s fire chief to assess basic needs and options for immediate relief. Barcelona planned to send electricity generators able to power essential buildings during cold periods. The aid package also included hydraulic equipment, protective gear, and protective masks to assist rescue teams and civilians alike. In a second shipment, two vehicles were slated for delivery to Kyiv, including a crane with substantial lifting capacity and a new fire truck. Earlier shipments from Barcelona included equipment such as a pump truck and a self-propelled vehicle transferred to Kyiv through port logistics.
night control
The trip was coordinated with government authorities. Colau began by traveling from Barcelona to Krakow, then via Munich to Przemyśl, Poland to find the safest route into Ukraine. From there, he joined a night train that carried him toward Kyiv, a journey lasting about 11 hours and stopping at several checkpoints along the way. The route was chosen to maximize safety while advancing the goal of direct, in-person support. Colau planned to return to Barcelona along the same route after the meetings in Kyiv.