Washington, DC – The U.S. Conference of Mayors has stood in solidarity with Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. At that time, an emergency resolution was passed to show the Conference’s support of the Ukrainian people and the democratic values that are still under assault. Today, U.S. Conference of Mayors President David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City, released the following statement on President Trump’s decision to continue providing support for Ukraine.
“The U.S. Conference of Mayors applauds President Trump’s decision to continue providing support for Ukraine and NATO allies. This renewed commitment sends a powerful message that America does not turn its back on its partners, and that we remain a nation that values freedom.
“Across America’s cities, we understand the importance of defending democratic values and standing by our allies in times of crisis. Ukraine’s continued struggle against the Russian military is not just about national defense, it’s about the preservation of self-determination, and democracy. The U.S. Conference of Mayors will continue to provide support for Ukrainian mayors as long as necessary.”
Two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), led by then-President Francis Suarez, Mayor of Miami, invited Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko to address the USCM’s Winter Leadership Meeting. During that same meeting, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova also spoke to the nation’s mayors via Zoom.
Since the onset of the war, Ukrainian mayors have regularly participated in USCM national gatherings. At the 90th Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, U.S. mayors had the honor of hearing directly from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via live Zoom. Ukrainian mayors also attended the most recent Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida last month.
In addition, USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran has attended every Ukraine Day session hosted by Ambassador Markarova in Washington, D.C., showcasing the Conference’s continued engagement with and support of Ukraine.
On May 13, 2025, in Warsaw, Poland, then-USCM President Mayor Andrew Ginther, Mayor of Columbus (OH), led a summit with Ukrainian mayors, during which he signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. President Holt has also hosted Ukrainian mayors in Oklahoma City on several occasions.
Since the Russian invasion, USCM has reaffirmed its solidarity with Ukraine’s mayors at every Winter and Fall Leadership Meeting, as well as each Annual Meeting. They stand united in defense of democracy amid ongoing violence and destruction by the Russian military.