The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has visited Krakow to discuss plans to set up a global network of cities and charities to support Ukraine.
The Labour politician met the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, in Poland to talk about Unbroken Cities Network, an organisation which would support Ukraine in the recovery after the war.
They spoke about the proposals – developed by Burnham and Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram in tandem – after Sadovyi had requested aid Lviv and Ukraine more generally.
The scheme would aim to provide strategic and technical support from global cities who themselves have experienced extremist violence.
The plans would also include opening up medical and charitable networks to Lviv, which has been twinned with Rochdale since 1992.
The two British mayors are working with 15 to 20 mayors from other cities in the UK and US to deliver these objectives.
They have secured support for the proposals from major US military charity Semper Fi & America’s Fund and the One World Strong Foundation.
Burnham said: “Since the beginning of Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine, Greater Manchester has stood in full and firm solidarity with the country and its people.
“It’s understandable that the world’s attention has moved elsewhere given the seriousness of events in the Middle East. But it is essential that we don’t forget the people of Ukraine.
“I am here today in Krakow to carry that message and assure the Mayor of Lviv that Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region will stand with him for the long haul, together with friends from the US and support his plans for the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of his country.”
Mayor Sadovyi – who was in Manchester in May of this year to meet the city’s Ukrainian community – was pleased both the UK mayors were unwavering in their support for his country.
He said: “I greatly appreciate that our idea of the Unbroken Network is alive and is spreading to other cities worldwide.
“This means that we are doing everything right. We thank the Mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region for all of their support.
“Together, we must ensure that Ukraine wins this war.”
With this endorsement of the proposals from Sadovyi, the two North West mayors could present their plans as soon as the US Convention of Mayors in early 2024, aiming to secure formal backing for the Unbroken Cities Network from the UK and US governments.
Feature image from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
