York should complete the process of adopting a Ukrainian city as its sibling as the situation in the country rests on a knife-edge, opposition councillors have said.

Friday, 4 April 2025 15:07

By Joe Gerrard

Liberal Democrats Cllr Darryl Smalley and Cllr Chris Cullwick said the sisterhood process with Lviv should be completed almost three years after councillors agreed to the proposal.

Conservative group leader Cllr Chris Steward said the failure to follow through on the 2022 motion calling for the move was embarrassing though he questioned the benefits of the move.

York Council’s Labour leader Cllr Claire Douglas said she was set to discuss the Lviv relationship with a Ukrainian official as support continues for those affected by Russia’s invasion.

It comes after York councillors approved proposals for a memorandum of understanding with Lviv, in the west of Ukraine, in April 2022 around two months after the outbreak of war.

Cllr Smalley, who tabled the motion, said at the time he hoped it would serve as a small act of solidarity amid dark times for the country.

Since then, 416 Ukrainians have arrived in York through Homes for Ukraine out of 461 visas issued to those who applied under the scheme to settle in the city.

But the process to make Lviv York’s sister city remains incomplete, with the Liberal Democrats claiming it has been delayed by a lack of funds which Labour’s Cllr Douglas denied.

The relationship would commit York and Lviv to long-term cultural, educational, business and technical exchange, according to the Sister Cities International organisation.

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