BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – In one of his last acts as Burlington mayor, Miro Weinberger Friday forged new ties with a community in war-torn Ukraine.
Weinberger joined leaders via video conference from the community of Kuyalnyck in signing a sister city partnership. The measure was approved by the City Council last month and commits both communities to develop economic, cultural, and tourism partnerships and strengthen friendly relations.
“Ukrainians are dying and suffering on the front lines of the long struggle between democracy and authoritarianism, and Burlington is safer for their sacrifice,” Weinberger said. “At a time when the federal government is struggling to continue the support that has repulsed Russia’s full-scale invasion, Burlington has commenced a relationship focused on aid, rebuilding, local democracy, and mutual learning that will be valuable to both communities for many years to come.”
The Kuyalnyck Village Territorial Community has a population of close to 20,000 and an administrative center in the town of Kuyalnyk.