Connecticut signs 'sister state' agreement with besieged province in eastern Ukraine
In an underground bunker in the eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast on Thursday night, the Connecticut flag was on display next to Gov. Vadym Filashkin.
More than 4,900 miles to the west, it was noon in Connecticut where Gov. Ned Lamont, members of the state's congressional delegation and several local town leaders pledged a symbolic and practical sister-state relationship with the besieged region in its three-and-a-half-year long defense against Russian forces — who officials there say have killed more than 4,000 of its civilian population, including, Filashkin said, 290 children. Another 556 Donetsk children in the region are feared kidnapped by Russian troops.
During a mostly scripted, hour-long conversation among Connecticut officials, translators and Filashkin, the sister-state relationship was formalized, with promises of enhanced cultural, social, humanitarian, educational and economic relationships at a time when the war is dragging on and President Donald Trump is attempting a peace process with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"I think it reminds people of Connecticut and hopefully broader than that, that we're standing with the people of Ukraine and Gov. Filashkin," said Lamont, who flies the Ukrainian flag over the Governor's Residence in Hartford. "I see the incredible pressure they're under every day by the (Russian) onslaught and we want to make sure that the people know we're standing with them. This may be symbolic in terms of cultural and economic, but I think it's more than that and reminds people we're there with you. You are in the front line of that fight for freedom."
"The importance of such an event is hard to over-state," Filashkin said, complimenting Lamont and Connecticut residents and noting that Russia first annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2004. "For the past 11 years, the war has become a part of our every day reality. And the current tasks and goals of our region are entirely dictated by this war. Cities and towns across the Donetsk Oblast are constantly under rocket and bomb attacks. The enemy uses a wide range of weapons, which creates many challenges for the daily life and functionality of the region. However, we are determined to continue our steadfast resistance."
"There are humanitarian issues," said 3rd District U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. "There are economic issues. There is the scientific and tech people and cultural cooperation here. This is engaging in a way that's the tradition of sister cities. The strength of state program, historically is something to be applauded."
First District U.S. Rep. John Larson recalled that Igor Sikorsky, the world's pioneer of helicopters in Bridgeport and Stratford, was Ukrainian. "We're heartened by the fact that there is an attempt at peace, but we also want to make it very clear that we stand with Ukraine," Larson said. "This is peace, not surrender, because we will always stand with the Ukrainian people."
Looking ahead to Trump's planned meeting with Putin, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said that if the Russian president is "serious" about peace, he'll agree to a cease fire and return the 20,000 Ukrainian children he says are still in possession of Russia. He believes the sister-statehood agreement will provide momentum around the U.S. for stronger military aid, economic assistance and support European allies of Ukraine.
Blumenthal made a pitch for pending bipartisan legislation aimed at toughening sanctions against Russian, China, India, Brazil and other countries that purchase Russian gas.
Blumenthal, who has visited Ukraine eight times since the latest Russian invasion, said that action and support are still needed.
"I have met the soldiers who have given their blood, some of their limbs in the Donetsk region, where fighting continues right now even as Putin continues his merciless, murderous bombing of Ukraine's cities like Kyiv and Lviv and others that I have visited," Blumenthal said. "To the people of America, Ukraine's fight is about our national security, not just their freedom. It's about Putin continuing this murderous aggression against Poland, Romania, the Baltic states, Sweden, Finland, if he is not stopped in Ukraine."
The hour-long interaction was sponsored by the non-profit Ukrainian Aid International, which indicated that since 2022, state residents have contributed about $2.5 million in humanitarian aid, establishing sister-city relationships with Fairfield, Easton, Ridgefield, Greenwich, Stamford, Westport and Weston. Items provided include electric generators, tools, water-filtration units, emergency vehicles, as well as medical and dental aid.