During the convening, Mayor Ginther facilitated discussions on city-to-city partnerships, civic leadership, and long-term recovery and infrastructure rebuilding

WARSAW, POLAND– Today, U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President and Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther met with Ukrainian mayors and local leaders in Warsaw, Poland for an international convening. During the meeting, Mayor Ginther moderated discussions on building partnerships between cities, civic leadership and intergovernmental coordination, and long-term recovery and infrastructure rebuilding. Local leaders also discussed national university cooperation, youth leadership development, mental health and reintegration, investment potential in the region, and coordination of humanitarian efforts.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors has stood in solidarity with Ukraine, adopting an emergency resolution in support of the Ukrainian people and the democratic values under assault.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Ginther outlined several next steps. First, Mayor Ginther signed a joint declaration with the Ukrainian delegation reaffirming the Conference’s full and enduring support for Ukraine. He also pledged to introduce a policy resolution at USCM’s Annual Meeting next month that will formalize and expand the Conference’s support for Ukrainian sovereignty and democratic reconstruction. Lastly, Mayor Ginther announced that USCM will establish a Center for City Partnership and Solidarity — a new initiative dedicated to fostering U.S.–Ukraine city partnerships, coordinating expert assistance, supporting knowledge-sharing, and enabling humanitarian initiatives.

“This is more than diplomacy—this is local democracy in action. City by city. Partnership by partnership. We hope that this is the beginning of a new era of cooperation—grounded in shared values, mutual respect and our unwavering belief in global democracy and peace,” said Mayor Ginther.

Participants in the convening included:

Columbus, OH Mayor Andrew Ginther, United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)

Ievgen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration

Inesa Hlushchenkon, Head of the Department office for Foreign Economic Relations and International Cooperation, Directorate for Investment and Foreign Economic Activity, Department of Economy and International Relations of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration

Mayor Andrii Besedin, Head of the Kupiansk City Military Administration

Mayor Mariia Chernenko, Head of the Rohan Settlement Military Administration

Mayor Yevhen Shapoval, Head of the Vilkhuvatka Village Military Administration

Dave Fortier, President & Executive Director, One World Strong Foundation and Founding Member of Unbroken Cities Network