Twinning agreement builds further bridges between Winchester and Ukraine
A new twinning agreement is in place between Winchester and the city of Nizhyn in Ukraine.
A meeting of Winchester City Council on Wednesday 9 July endorsed the agreement, which will be officially signed by the Mayor of Winchester Councillor Sudhakar Achwal in a ceremony later in the year.
Nizhyn (pronounced ‘Nee-jin’) is a historic city located in the Chernihiv region along the Oster River. It has a population of around 72,000 and is home to over 300 historic buildings, 70 of which are of significant cultural and historic value. Its university, which was established in 1805, is one of the oldest in Ukraine.
The agreement was supported by Councillor John Tippett-Cooper and Councillor Kathleen Becker. An amendment to extend the agreement from the city of Winchester to the wider district was put forward by Leader of Winchester City Council Councillor Martin Tod, and seconded by Councillor Caroline Horrill.
At the meeting, council watched a video message from Oleksandr Kodola, Mayor of Nizhyn City, and enjoyed a performance by the Kalyna Choir, which was formed by members of the local Ukrainian community. Also in attendance were members of Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association (WUCA).
Winchester City Council has an ongoing commitment to welcoming Ukrainians seeking a safe place due to the current crisis in the country.
Proposing the agreement, Cllr John Tippett-Cooper said: “This twinning proposal is a natural evolution of our journey and deepening of the ties we have already built with Ukraine, allowing us to foster exchange between schools, artists, civic leaders, and volunteers. It will help our young people connect - by remote learning for example - with peers in Ukraine and will give us all the chance to learn from each other.”
Cllr Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: “Twinning Winchester with Nizhyn is more than a symbolic act—it’s a meaningful step toward deepening international friendship, cultural exchange, and understanding, and opens doors for educational collaboration, cultural enrichment, and economic opportunity.
“It also builds on the strong relationships we’ve already formed with Ukrainians living here in Winchester, friends and neighbours who have become part of our community and enriched our shared life. Twinning is a way to honour those bonds and extend our support to their homeland – now, in its time of need, and as we look to a peaceful future. Together, we can create a lasting connection that celebrates diversity, promotes peace, and strengthens unity across borders."
The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal said: “The Winchester district has a strong and special connection with Ukraine. A significant number of Ukrainians currently call the district home, and they are active, valued members of our local community.
“This new twinning agreement will further foster and develop the close ties and mutual understanding between the Twinning Associations and residents of the cities of Winchester and Nizhyn, strengthening community connections, supporting exchange, promoting environmental responsibility, and advocating for the right of every person to live in peace and security.
“This partnership reflects our belief in international friendship. We look forward to the positive impact this twinning agreement will have on our communities and the opportunities it will create for further collaboration and mutual growth.”