Ukraine has been told it has a “steadfast friend” in Glasgow as it has become twinned with the  city of Mykolaiv.

The twinning demonstrates a show of solidarity and support on the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of the country.

Oleksandr Syenkevych, City Mayor of Mykolaiv, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren and Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council.

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Events will take place on Saturday in Glasgow to mark the anniversary and to continue to show support with the people of Ukraine.

Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “This twinning agreement is a golden opportunity for Glasgow and Mykolaiv to demonstrate the true value of twinning and the benefits it can bring our cities and citizens.

“Glasgow enters this twinning partnership reflecting the sentiments of our city’s Patron Saint, St Mungo – to allow our citizens here in Glasgow and there, in Mykolaiv to flourish.

“My message to Ukrainians here in Glasgow and beyond is that you can count on Glasgow as a steadfast friend. This Memorandum of Understanding a clear demonstration of our friendship and support.”

Myklaiv is a city close to the front line and the besieged city of Kherson. The country’s second largest port city, it has endured relentless bombardment during the war.

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Mayor Syenkevych, said:“The city has been bombarded almost continuously and currently the main problem is that people do not have access to clean water since the source of supply was the Dnipro River.

“However, in spring 2022 the Russians destroyed these water pipes in the Kherson region. Currently our partner cities and international organisations help us with water purification with osmosis systems and clean water supply.”

The signing was witnessed in Glasgow by the Andrii Kuslii, Ukrainian Consul General and representatives from The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

The cities were considered a good fit for twinning as Glasgow and Mykolaiv share an industrial heritage as ship builders.

Susan Aitken said: “Glasgow is a city which over the years has stood in solidarity with those facing persecution and injustice. It is in this spirit that our city was amongst the first in the UK to offer our support to the nation and people of Ukraine.

“It is a source of pride that we have been able to provide the many hundreds of Ukrainians seeking sanctuary in our city with accommodation and the support to lessen – as much as possible – the trauma of fleeing their homeland.”