Two North Sheffield councillors are to travel to Ukraine on 14 March to show Ukrainians that the British people “have not forgotten about the war”, and find out what more the city can do to help.
The councillors plan to visit rehabilitation centres and experience how Ukrainian culture has persevered through this tough time.
One of the councillors going, Coun Matt Dwyer, said: “It’s really important to go across to show solidarity but also see what efforts need to be made in rebuilding and what role Sheffield can play in that.”
Coun Dwyer emphasised Sheffield’s talent in biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering, and how the city can use these talents to help Ukraine recover from wartime damages – continuing to support the country in the same way that it did at the outbreak of the war in 2022, when many Sheffielders welcomed Ukrainians into their homes.
Coun Dwyer said Steel City residents had shown “unwavering commitment” in support of Ukraine and highlighted Sheffield’s history of being the first UK city of sanctuary.
He said: “I very much do think that the people of Sheffield are doing lots, they’ve opened up their homes.”
He believes the country as a whole has been a front-runner in supporting Ukraine.
Coun Dwyer said: “We were the first to arm them with tanks, we were the first to send long-range missiles, air defences, and this has led to the US and other European allies stepping up.”
Now is a more necessary time than ever to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people, after President Zelensky faced trouble trying to negotiate with President Trump at a recent White House meeting.
He thinks the US is still in a powerful position to help.
Coun Dwyer said: “I think it’s really important the US is there to broker this peace and is still the most powerful country in the world.”
He described Zelensky as a “man who through incredible bravery stayed in the country when he is a man who is on a Russian hit-list.”
Coun Mark Rusling was met with the opportunity to travel to Ukraine by a Ukrainian couple who had to flee their country in 2022 after being on a Russian list.
Coun Dwyer said: “We jumped at the opportunity to experience something you wouldn’t normally experience.”
