From 19 to 22 June 2025, the 93rd U.S. Conference of Mayors was held in Tampa, Florida. This was the first time that support for Ukraine at the local self-government level was discussed on such a large scale.
At the invitation of Andrew J. Ginther, President of the Conference and Mayor of Columbus, the Kharkiv region was represented by Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, Head of the Kharkiv Regional Council, Andrii Besedin, Head of the Kupiansk City Military Administration, and Viktor Kovalenko, Head of the Zolochiv Settlement Military Administration.
This information was published on the official website of the Kupiansk City Council.
Andrii Besedin gave a speech at a meeting of the Standing Committee on International Affairs dedicated to Ukraine. He spoke about the challenges Kupiansk is facing, expressed gratitude for the assistance already provided, and appealed for continued support.
Following the meeting, a Resolution in support of Ukraine was adopted, which provides for:
- creation of the USCM Centre for Urban Partnerships and Solidarity, which will coordinate support to Ukrainian communities;
- support for partnership projects between American and Ukrainian cities;
- calling on the U.S. Federal Government to provide direct support to Ukrainian communities in restoring infrastructure, developing civil society, and mental health;
- submitting the Resolution to the U.S. Government, international partners, and Ukrainian local government associations.
Meanwhile, in May 2025, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between Kupiansk and Columbus, Ohio, USA. This partnership will soon enable social projects to be implemented and international support to be attracted to aid the community’s recovery.
