Ukrainian twin city calls for stronger ties

Serhiy Morhunov, Vinnytsia's mayor (second from left), said Ukraine needed international support

There are calls to boost relations between Peterborough and its twinned city of Vinnytsia, with its Ukrainian mayor saying it was a "pity" ties were not as strong as they once were.

They have been twinned since 1991, meaning an agreement was drawn up to promote cultural and commercial ties between them.

Serhiy Morhunov, mayor of Vinnytsia - about 155 miles (250km) from Kyiv - said Peterborough City Council should re-engage with the twinning programme, as Ukraine navigates the effects of Russia's invasion.

Peterborough's mayor, Nick Sandford, acknowledged his concerns, saying there were no longer any council staff specifically delegated to work on the partnership.

At a recent meeting, Peterborough councillors marked the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Delegations from each city have visited each other several times, with most visits taking place during the 2000s.

After Russia's invasion in February 2022, Peterborough sent Vinnytsia clothes, food, sleeping bags and other supplies, for which Mr Morhunov said the city was "really, really thankful". 

He also tried to visit last year but was unable to obtain a visa, according to Mr Sandford, while a delegation from Peterborough was unable to get insurance to travel to Ukraine. 

Mr Morhunov said it was a "pity" ties were not better.

"Having things from you like humanitarian cargo is not a priority," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, with the support of a translator. 

"Of course, Ukraine needs equipment and weapons, but most importantly we need international support in our struggle for human rights against the Russian Federation."

The city was also in need of "expertise", he said, in delivering infrastructure, environmental projects and social and administrative services.

Mr Sandford, a Liberal Democrat, said he would hold a meeting with council staff to discuss how they could strengthen ties, adding that any recommendations would go through the usual decision-making processes. 

The council's leader Mohammed Farooq, Peterborough First, said his administration would "welcome" greater collaboration.