As part of the Congress of Mayors, a delegation from Chuhuiv, a city located in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine that has been severely affected by the war, was welcomed on Monday, November 18, in Château-Thierry by Sébastien Eugène, the mayor of the town, and Félix Bokassia, a municipal councilor in charge of twinning and international solidarity. This meeting, organized by Stand With Ukraine in partnership with Cities4Cities, highlighted the importance of international cooperation.
During their visit, Galyna Minayeva, the mayor of Chuhuiv, and her deputy, Liudmyla Makarenko, were received at the Town Hall for a productive exchange about the challenges their municipality is facing. The delegation then explored the heritage of Château-Thierry, including the Medieval Castle and its birdhouse, before participating in a press conference at the Jean-Macé Media Library to raise public awareness about the current situation in Ukraine.
This visit marks the beginning of a promising partnership between Château-Thierry and Chuhuiv. The two cities aim to develop concrete projects to support the material and human reconstruction of Chuhuiv. Félix Bokassia pointed out the importance of these initiatives: “This partnership aims to provide Chuhuiv with sustainable solutions, particularly through projects that will allow the town to access European funding for its reconstruction.”
Among the ideas mentioned, cultural exchanges, viticulture projects, and solidarity initiatives for children affected by the war are a top priority. Students from Château-Thierry could send drawings to express their support for their Ukrainian peers, strengthening the ties between the two communities.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Chuhuiv has suffered heavy human and material losses. About a quarter of its population has been displaced, and the city remains under the constant threat of bombings. “Despite the difficulties, we remain hopeful of rebuilding our city and ensuring a better future for our inhabitants,” said Galyna Minayeva.
For his part, Sébastien Eugène reiterated Château-Thierry’s commitment to Ukraine: “Solidarity is an integral part of Château-Thierry’s identity. We have already supported Ukraine by sending humanitarian convoys to Grybów, one of our twin cities, located near the Ukrainian border. This new partnership aligns with our desire to sustainably support our war-affected European neighbor by acting at the municipal level, especially in its material and human reconstruction efforts.”
This emerging partnership illustrates the commitment of the two cities to work hand in hand to overcome challenges and build a shared future.
