GLASGOW has twinned with the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv in a show of solidarity and support on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
The agreement, declared publicly on Saturday, was signed by the Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken and Mykolaiv’s City Mayor Oleksandr Syenkevych during a virtual ceremony held earlier this month.
Mykolaiv was chosen following advice from representatives of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) who considered it a “good fit” due to its similarities with Scotland's largest city.
On Saturday Bailie Anthony Carroll, on behalf of the Lord Provost, will address AUGB demonstrators in George Square to announce the twinning arrangement.
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Both cities share a rich industrial heritage as shipbuilders with Mykolaiv – nestled on the Southern Buh River close to the Black Sea - originally being founded in 1788 as a naval base.
It’s also a city close to the front line and adjacent to the besieged city of Kherson.
Due to that proximity and its ranking as the country’s second largest port city, it has endured relentless bombardment.
McLaren said: “This twinning agreement is a golden opportunity for Glasgow and Mykolaiv to demonstrate the true value of twinning and the benefits it can bring our cities and citizens.
“Glasgow enters this twinning partnership reflecting the sentiments of our city’s Patron Saint, St Mungo – to allow our citizens here in Glasgow and there, in Mykolaiv to flourish.
“My message to Ukrainians here in Glasgow and beyond is that you can count on Glasgow as a steadfast friend. This Memorandum of Understanding is a clear demonstration of our friendship and support.”
Syenkevych said the city has been bombarded “almost continuously” and people have not had access to clean water since the source of supply was Dnipro River.
He said: “In spring 2022 the Russians destroyed these water pipes in the Kherson region. Currently, our partner cities and international organisations help us with water purification with osmosis systems and clean water supply.”
Syenkevych has outlined a "master plan" to develop the city with the help of the United Nation’s Economic Commission adding: “We are ready for alliances with different cities, and I sincerely hope for productive co-operation between Glasgow and Mykolaiv.”
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Council leader Aitken added: "This twinning arrangement is significant for both of our cities – a friendship forged between Glasgow and Mykolaiv which can build bonds of cooperation, collaboration and common purpose.
“Glasgow is a city which over the years has stood in solidarity with those facing persecution and injustice. It is in this spirit that our city was amongst the first in the UK to offer our support to the nation and people of Ukraine.”
“It is a source of pride that we have been able to provide the many hundreds of Ukrainians seeking sanctuary in our city with accommodation and the support to lessen – as much as possible – the trauma of fleeing their homeland.”
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