The Mayor of Bolton praised the bravery and resilience of the people of Sumy, as he signed a friendship agreement with the Ukrainian city.
Cllr David Chadwick took part in an online exchange of friendship scrolls with his counterpart, Mr Artem Kobzar, marking the start of the informal agreement.
The virtual ceremony was attended by members of the Bolton Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB).
The group first proposed the friendship agreement as a way for Bolton to show its continuing support for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
The city of Sumy lies just 30km from Ukraine’s border with Russia and is the administrative capital of the wider Sumy province.
The region has been subjected to regular rocket and drone attacks since the invasion began in 2022.
Among those attending the ceremony were mother and daughter Olena and Mariia Bielieskova, who fled Sumy in February 2022 and now live in Bolton.
The Mayor, Cllr Chadwick, said: “During the Blitz of 1940 the people of Bolton saw first-hand the horrors and devastation of war.
“Sadly, more than 80 years later, we are still seeing the dreadful consequences of armed conflict in Europe.
“But the continued bravery and resilience of Sumy residents should be an inspiration to us all.
“Since 2022 Bolton has proudly flown the Ukrainian flag from the Central Library and our we have welcomed refugees through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“Bolton residents and charities have overseen countless initiatives to support the Ukrainian cause, and they will continue to do so in the spirit of this new friendship.”
Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Chair of the Bolton Branch of the AUGB, said:
“As a Boltonian Ukrainian, I am so proud of this agreement. The Ukrainian community in Bolton has a tradition of supporting Ukraine in its hour of need.
“The exchange of letters of friendship shows the population of Sumy that they are not alone, Bolton stands with them.”
The friendship agreement was approved at a meeting of full council in July this year.
At the same meeting, elected members also approved an agreement with Przemyśl, the Polish border city which has played a pivotal role in supporting Ukrainian refugees.