The cities of Leipzig and Kyiv have been closely linked by a partnership for more than 60 years– for the first time since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, an official delegation has now visited the city on the Dnieper, which was severely affected by the war. The delegation laid flowers at the memorial site for the victims of the Kyiv population and respectfully took part in the individual commemoration by laying a wreath.
The partnership continues even during the war. The topics range from continuous aid deliveries, recreational stays for children and young people in Leipzig, numerous expert visits on disaster management and rescue services to cultural resilience and reconstruction. During a brief visit to the fire department, the delegation was told how the special capabilities of the vehicles sent from Leipzig significantly speed up the extinguishing of fires.
At the beginning of the trip, the delegation visited the ruins of a residential building that had been destroyed a few days earlier – 20 people had been killed and more than 100 injured in a rocket strike. Speaking to the aid workers, 16-year-old Daria from Kyiv put it this way in front of her destroyed home: „The violence wants to take away our hope. But as long as we fight back, as long as we live and think about tomorrow, it has not won.“
Ulrich Hörning, Mayor for General Administration and head of the Leipzig Ukraine steering group, said looking back on the trip: „The encounters with the people in Kyiv touched me deeply. In every conversation, you can sense the unshakeable hope and determination that drives this city, even in the midst of destruction. We support the people of Kyiv not only out of solidarity – their resilience also helps us in Leipzig to better understand how we as municipalities can be prepared for the challenges of this time and remain capable of action and hopeful as democratic societies even in times of crisis.“
The trip also included a meeting with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko: „During my last visit to Leipzig, I said: ‚If the administration gives up, the city will fall.‘ In Kyiv, giving up is not an option. Despite the ongoing attacks, we are working tirelessly to keep our city alive and shape it for the future. The support from Leipzig, our long-standing twin city, gives us strength and confidence. Their solidarity and exchange with each other strengthen our ability to remain capable of acting even in difficult times. This partnership is an anchor of hope for us and a sign that we are not alone.
