LINKS between Somerset and war-torn Ukraine have been strengthened with a visit to the Ukrainian Embassy in London by Somerset Council chairman Cllr Mike Best to progress collaboration between the county and the Vinnytsia region.

The council was approached by the Ukrainian Embassy to explore a non-legally binding co-operation agreement between Somerset and the region for an initial period of five years.

A number of other local authorities are also developing similar agreements as the basis for long term collaboration with regions of Ukraine.

Cllr Best said: “This agreement is a positive step toward opening avenues of joint working that would previously have been difficult, as well as showing Somerset’s continued solidarity with Ukraine and sending a clear message of belonging to the Ukrainians who have sought refuge and been welcomed here.”

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said: “Today, we are witnessing a truly remarkable event, the establishment of a partnership between two important regions of Ukraine and the UK.

“I hope this marks the beginning of fruitful co-operation across all key areas.

“I express my sincere gratitude to our British partners and believe that our regions will become true friends.”

The Vinnytsia region, also known as Vinnytsia Oblast, is in the south west of Ukraine with an administrative centre in the city of Vinnytsia, and it borders Moldova to the south.

Vinnytsia has a population of about 1.5 million, against Somerset’s 550,000 residents.

The economy of the region is focused mainly on agriculture, including grain and sugar production, while minerals, quarrying, manufacturing, and electricity generation are also important industries.

It has a growing digital sector and a thriving education system.

The region of Vinnytsia also has rich historical and cultural heritage and hosts three of the seven ‘Wonders of Ukraine’ which attract large numbers of tourists each year.

The council is also working on the collaboration with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and further education college partners in Somerset.

Cllr Best signed a memorandum of understanding which aims to achieve knowledge transfer, educational and trade exchanges, and encourage inward investment opportunities between Vinnytsia region and Somerset.

Other counties exploring similar agreements with regions of Ukraine include Norfolk, which is working with Lviv, and Kent, which is working with Chernihiv, as well as Local Government Association colleagues, and Peterborough, twinned with the city of Vinnytsia, to help Somerset learn from their experience.

The relationship is being developed through a series of online meetings and the joint signature of the agreement was facilitated by the Ukrainian Embassy.

Somerset has welcomed about 1,500 refugees from Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February, 2022, many living with local families who have taken them in, and about a quarter of a million in total now live in the UK.

The unitary council has set up supportive welcome hubs in each of the four former district authority areas which have expanded to provide help to migrants from all parts of the world.