(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 29 - "A military aggression" is underway against Ukraine, and the country is "fighting to defend the values on which the EU was founded: democracy and freedom. What does Ukraine represent to Europe today? It is a backbone, the foundation that supports Europe and stops this attack," Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said at a Central European Initiative-sponsored meeting in Trieste. "We are aware that without the EU's assistance, this work would not have been possible." This is why "Italy's clear position is very important," Boychenko explained, thanking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani for "their very clear and defined position and support for Ukraine." This is "a modern war," Boychenko added, so "we have modern technology at our disposal, which allowed us to record everything Russia did to Mariupol in May 2022." Today, we are creating an international register of damage inflicted. Witnesses have reported civilian deaths, and Russia must appear in The Hague to answer for this." The mayor, who also heads Mariupol's military administration, stated that "50% of every building in the city has been destroyed" and presented the housing programme for displaced people. He explained that the collapse of critical infrastructure and mass displacement have made it a priority for local governments to assist citizens forced to flee their homes and plan for reconstruction. Part of the Mariupol Reborn initiative, the project aims to create a model of social and affordable housing. "We are already receiving support and backing from Italy," which "allows us to defend important principles like democracy." "Our goal for the pilot project is to build 5,000 homes while also earning the trust of our international partners. We were honoured to present this project at the International Conference for Ukraine's Reconstruction in July 2025. Construction is set to begin in 2026. This project originated in Italy, and we hope that it will include Italian content, support, and technology. That is why we are here today," he concluded. (ANSA).