City of Sonoma (City) Mayor Jack Ding, together with members of the City Council, local government officials, dignitaries, and the Sonoma Sister Cities Association (SSCA) will welcome Ukraine Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk and his consular delegation to Sonoma’s City Hall for an outdoor press conference on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. The City is hosting the delegation in support of the people of Ukraine, including those in Sonoma’s sister city of Kaniv, who are fighting for their freedom and suffering because of the ongoing assault on Ukraine from Russian military forces.
The press and the public are invited to attend Thursday’s press conference where Mayor Ding will present the Consul General with a proclamation of support. “It is our great honor to host Consul General Kushneruk, and we stand firmly with the courageous citizens of Ukraine who have been forced to defend their homeland and their democracy against an unprovoked and brutal invasion,” says Mayor Ding. “We cherish our sister city of Kaniv, and our thoughts and hearts are with them and all Ukrainian people navigating this senseless conflict.”
Sonoma and Kaniv established a Sister City relationship in 1987 – a long-term, formal agreement that includes cultural, educational, business, and technical exchanges. The two cities have had many exchanges over the past 35 years. On February 25, 2022, following news of the attack on their sovereign nation, Sonoma City Council and SSCA sent a joint letter to the Honorable Mayor of Kaniv, Ren’kas Ihor, condemning the assault on Ukraine from Russian military forces and offering support. In an additional show of solidarity, the Ukrainian flag is displayed alongside the American Flag on the front of City Hall, and the colors of the Ukrainian flag will illuminate City Hall through March 20, 2022.
The SSCA is accepting donations from our community to help Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion. Visit the SSCA website for more information: sonomasistercitiesassociation.org
Media outlets and members of the press who wish to attend the press conference are asked to RSVP to Jenny Yankovitch, City of Sonoma Development Services Director, by calling 707-933-2205 or emailing jyankovich@sonomacity.org.