Greenwich Officially Establishes Sister City Relationship In Ukraine

GREENWICH, CT — It was a historic day in Greenwich on Monday, as the town officially entered into a sister city relationship with the city of Izyum in Northeastern Ukraine.

Elected officials and members of the community gathered inside Town Hall for the announcement, which included a proclamation from First Selectman Fred Camillo.

Maxim Strelnyk, an Izyum government official, attended via Zoom and made brief remarks, as did U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

This is the fourth sister city partnership for Greenwich. The town established sister cities in China (Hangzhou) and Italy (Rose and Morra De Sanctis) over the past decade.

The sister city relationship will create and everlasting connection and allow for the exchange of culture and ideas, while also simultaneously helping Izyum and Ukraine get back on its feet in the wake of Russia's invasion of the country.

"We want to show our support to Ukraine during this terrible time of war and violence, and we continue to hope for peace. A sister city relationship with Izyum would not only show Greenwich's kinship with everyone suffering in Ukraine, but also establish an everlasting connection with this city as we hope it can thrive again in the very near future," Camillo said in his proclamation.

For now, communications with Izyum will have to take place virtually.

"We look forward to the day when the war has ended, and we can all be together in person in celebration of this special relationship between our homes through the exchange of culture, knowledge and experiences. The people of Izyum and Ukraine as a whole will always find a warm welcome for them here in Greenwich, just as we know the people of Greenwich will always be welcome there," Camillo added.

The idea came about when Greenwich resident and former Miss Connecticut USA 2017, Olga Litvinenko, visited Ukraine. Litvinenko was born in Kyiv and raised in Greenwich.

While visiting, she found out about Westport's sister city relationship and fundraising efforts with the city of Lyman. She returned to Izyum recently to tour the city.

"We are a community that helps, we're a community that's able to help, and it makes sense for us to have a piece of Ukraine in Greenwich, and a piece of Greenwich in Ukraine," Litvinenko said Monday.

A video of Litvinenko touring Izyum was shared during Monday's event. You can view the video below:

Izyum and Greenwich are similar in that they were both founded around the same time — Greenwich in 1640, and Izyum in 1681.

Before the war began, population sizes were similar, too. Greenwich has 62,300 people, and Izyum at one point had around 50,000 residents.

Arts, culture, education, music and sports are also common themes among the two, Litvinenko said.

But the past year-plus has devastated Izyum. Intense shelling from Russian forces destroyed 100 percent of industrial buildings, 80 percent of residential structures, and the city's central heating system.

Several schools were destroyed, and Izyum's hospital, which underwent major renovations before the war began, was heavily damaged.

Russia even occupied Izyum from April 1, 2022, to Sept. 10, 2022. There were 10,000 residents remaining when it was liberated and Russian forces were pushed out.

After the war began over a year ago, Litvinenko and Dr. Inna Lazar, a Greenwich resident who is also from Ukraine, started USA For Ukraine, which is dedicated to providing direct aid for those affected by the war, and directing people to the appropriate channels of charity.

Litvinenko and Lazar are planning a fundraiser in Greenwich this summer to benefit Izyum. More details will be announced at a later date.

"This represents an opportunity for us to unite as a community and build bridges, a testament to the power of unity and collaboration. It symbolizes hope and resilience, and what humanity can achieve when working together towards a common goal," Lazar said on Monday. Lazar has three cousins and nephews who are still in Ukraine on the frontlines.

"I'm proud to be a part of this community that believes in the power of love, compassion and generosity," she added.

Izyum Mayor Valerii Marchenko, who could not attend Monday's ceremony because of nearby missile strikes, recently sent a letter to Camillo detailing Izyum's needs.

Marchenko's close colleague, Strelnyk, spoke briefly with Litvinenko translating.

Strelnyk said he was "very grateful and blessed" for the sister city relationship with Greenwich, and hoped there would be a "true exchange of tourism, cultural knowledge and education, so the effort continues not just because of the war, but because we are in solidarity with one another."

Blumenthal spoke via Zoom while on his way down to Washington, D.C. He noted that he was especially proud to be a Greenwich resident and a United States Senator because of the sister city relationship.

"Taking sides in this conflict puts Greenwich on the map internationally, in solidarity with Ukraine. It expresses our support for a country that is standing up to a threat for its own sake, and for the world," said Blumenthal, who planned to mention the initiative on the floor of the United States Senate. "This kind of step brings smiles to [Ukrainian] faces, and lights up their eyes. It bolsters morale, but it also provides humanitarian assistance."

While details on a fundraiser are still being finalized, donations can be made either through the USA For Ukraine website.

Donations can also be made through wire, or check. For more information, residents can email usastandswithukraine@gmail.com.