COVENTRY has suspended its twinning links with Volgograd in Russia after a request from the city’s Ukrainian community.
At the last council meeting, a motion – proposed by Labour councillor John Mutton and seconded by Conservative leader Coun Gary Ridley – was backed unanimously.
It stated: “Coventry City Council condemns without reservation the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Government, led by President Putin.
“Our thoughts and solidarity are with the Ukrainian people.”
It referred to the ‘war against democracy’ and said thoughts were also with Russians who were protesting and demonstrating against Putin’s actions.
It added: “It is with a heavy heart, that at this time we will now pause our twinning links with the City of Volgograd until such a time that they can resume. We also pledge to explore the possibility of twinning with the city of Mariupol when the time is right.
The council previously said its links were with the people of Volgograd and not the Russian government and the decision was made tougher by the fact the Coventry-Volgograd link-up was the first one anywhere in the World when it was forged after the Second World War.
The discussion on Ukraine and the full meeting is available to view on the Council website at www.coventry.gov.uk
