THERE are calls for a Welsh council to consider twinning with a city in Ukraine as the war there approaches its fourth year.
A notice of motion from the Labour group to Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) full council on Wednesday, January 28, requests officers bring forward a report to the relevant committee that explores the opportunities for establishing formalised twinning arrangements between Pavlohrad and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The motion says that February 24, 2026, will mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces began and that in the almost four years that conflict has been ongoing millions of people have been displaced and, while estimates vary, it is accepted that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians – both military and civilian – have been injured or killed in the conflict.
It says: “Countries across Europe, including here in Wales, have played an important role in welcoming those who have been displaced by the conflict and this council is proud of the role that Rhondda Cynon Taf has had in providing that support.
“This council has already formalised its commitment to the people and nation of Ukraine with a notice of motion passed by members in February 2024.
“This motion seeks to reaffirm that support and look to a future – hopefully one where a peace deal can be reached that provides a fair outcome and justice to the Ukrainian nation and its people.”
Ysgol Garth Olwg have already started the process of establishing educational ties with Ukrainian schools. However in a further show of solidarity the council proposes to explore more formal civic twinning arrangements.
Pavlohrad (Pavlograd) is a city in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Like Rhondda Cynon Taf the area has a rich mining history and there are further similarities between the communities of Rhondda Cynon Taf and the city of Pavlohrad.
The twinning arrangements would be on both an educational and civic nature and they would be similar to the existing arrangements that Rhondda Cynon Taf has with Nurtingen, Wolfenbuttel, Ravensburg, and Montelimar.
The motion said that in terms of cost there would be minimal to no costs incurred as a result of this decision.
The motion also calls on the council to condemn the continued aggression of the Russian invaders and reaffirm its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.
