HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KENT AND CHERNIHIV, UKRAINE SECURED

Reflections by Councillor Jordan Meade...

Over the past six months, I’ve been working to secure a cooperation partnership between Kent County Council and the Chernihiv Oblast Чернігівська ОДА, in Ukraine. This mutually beneficial agreement will act as an enabler for the businesses, community groups and residents of Kent to strategically support one of the Ukrainian regions that was most affected by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

On Thursday, I was overwhelmed to receive the unanimous consent of the County Council to continue this work, with all political parties voting to endorse the plans that I’ve been working on to secure mutual areas of cooperation with the Chernihiv Regional State. Thursday’s County Council Meeting marked a very important moment in solidifying the county’s support for Ukraine.

We are now set to enter into formal cooperation in the following areas:

🏥 Humanitarian support

📊 Economic Development and Business

🚜 Agriculture and the Natural Environment

🏰 Heritage and Heritage Restoration

🏐 Sports and Health

📚 Education, Skills and Language

Having seen the suffering and destruction first hand on my visits to the Chernihiv Region, I have been moved to see how the County Council can act as a strategic enabler of businesses, educational institutions, communities and individuals, empowering them to play a significant part in supporting the strategic recovery of this special region of Ukraine. Chernihiv has suffered tremendously since the start of Russia’s illegal invasion, but the people remain defiant and determined to build a better future.

Since the start of my humanitarian visits to Ukraine alongside the brilliant UK Friends of Ukraine team, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people and businesses of Kent, who have donated items ranging from children’s books to medical supplies. With a cooperation agreement in place, we will now be able to move forward in maximising the efforts of countless businesses, groups and individuals across the entire county who are keen to continue supporting Ukraine and I encourage anyone that would like to help to get in touch with me so that together we can continue to make a difference.

I would like to put on the record my admiration and thanks to Regional Military Administration, Chaus Viacheslav, Kostiantyn, Oleksandra, Ira and others in Chernihiv, thank you for keeping me safe, for showing me your beautiful region and for welcoming me each time I suddenly appear in your neighbourhood, with the warmth as if I was a member of your own family. You are truly special people to me, and I consider it the privilege of a lifetime to be working alongside you.

Last Thursday will stay with me for the rest of life, as well as hearing an informed and poignant address from the Governor, I was proud to welcome my friend, Vladyslav Sadovoi to address the County Council. Vlad has just turned 18 and told us with much emotion how he sought refuge in Kent following Russia's full-scale invasion under the Homes for Ukraine scheme with his mother, twin sister and grandmother. His contribution to the debate brought tears to many and highlighted the human suffering that Russia continues to inflict on the Ukrainian people.

As I said, in the Council Chamber last week; ‘wars are not won in Council Chambers, but what we are doing here is significant. We are the first County authority to be entering into a cooperation agreement with a Ukrainian region, but we certainty won’t be the last. To my Ukrainian friends, here today, and those watching from afar, I salute you all and your bravery. You inspire the world and know that your fight is not in vain. The people of Kent are with you now not just in words, but in our deeds. I move this paper, with the immortal prayer, #SlavaUkraini, Glory to Ukraine!' 💙💛

Thank you to everyone who has helped get us to this stage.

#SupportUkraine #StandWithUkranie #Chernihiv #ChernihivOblast #Kent #UkraineMustWin #Ukraine