Hull City Council has shown support for Ukraine, ahead of the second anniversary this Saturday of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The country’s flag is flying from the Guildhall’s Peace Garden, amid a series of events where Ukrainian people have been welcomed to the city.
Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “We continue to show our support to the people of Ukraine, who have gone through so much in the last 2 years.
“Dozens of displaced people have arrived in Hull – a city of sanctuary – via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and also those who arrived on the family visa scheme.
“Ukraine’s flag has flown in the Peace Garden at the Guildhall throughout the conflict, as we send a clear message of solidarity to Ukrainians, and especially to those who have made our city their home since 2022.”
Hull’s links with Ukraine have been displayed in the past few weeks, as the Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal, joined representatives of the University of Hull to welcome a party from Mariupol State University.
He said: “It was a great honour to welcome the visitors and to hear how despite incredible adversity, they try to keep ‘business as usual’.
“Professor Mykola Trofymenko, who was among the delegation, spoke about the similarities between our two cities, with an aerial photo of each looking very similar, the cities being against water and industrial centres.
“He spoke around the joint ventures between the two universities, with work continuing and gaining momentum.
“The event concluded with a discussion about how both cities and universities hope to maintain this relationship in the future.”
The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor John Robinson, has also been involved, warmly welcoming Ukrainian representatives to a civic reception.
He said: “I’m really proud of the way that Hull has responded, and I’m sure that we as a city will continue to support the Ukrainian community for as long as necessary.
“The civic reception was one of many events we’ve held locally, going alongside gatherings staged across the country, to ensure we do not forget what is happening in Ukraine.”
The Deputy Lord Mayor will also attend a Hull for Ukraine Concert at Hull Minster, which takes place this Saturday, starting at 6:45pm.
