As a former Soviet republic, Ukraine shares cultural, economic and political roots with Russia, despite a long history of violence between the nations. According to the Council on Foreign Affairs, the current Russia-Ukraine war is a manifestation of renewed geopolitical rivalry and has only deepened their ideological divide in recent years. 

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson experienced the Ukrainian warzone firsthand while visiting Ostroh as a part of the sister cities cultural exchange earlier this year. During his tour of the Ostroh Academy, Patterson encountered an air raid siren and was forced to shelter in place with students from the city’s oldest university.

“The thing that just kept flooding over me was, this is (their) daily life,” Patterson said. “This is what (they) are experiencing day in, day out over in a country that is dealing with a conflict – an invasion – that was again, as I mentioned already, completely unwarranted.”

Patterson’s experience in Ostroh was so influential he spoke briefly with President Joe Biden at an NLC conference about the issue. According to Patterson, he spoke with the president about the gratitude and desperation of the Ukrainian people and encouraged him to send additional supportive measures to the region. He also began brainstorming ways to support the region on a local level such as providing solar panels and clothing drives.

“This isn’t a relationship just based upon the challenges that Ukraine is seeing right now as they’re repelling an unjust invasion,” Patterson said. “It’s looking into the future and, with the expectation that Ukraine is going to succeed in maintaining their sovereignty and recognition as an independent nation, we will continue to build these relationships.”

While Ostroh’s Mayor Yurii Yahodka hasn’t visited Athens, NUOA Rector-elect Eduard Balashov visited the city last week. During his time in Athens, Balashov visited with city officials and university leaders to discuss the future of the sister cities’ partnership as well as signed a memorandum of understanding. Like Patterson, Balashov shares optimism about the partnership’s potential.

“The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with Ohio University is an important step for the expansion of international relations of the Ostroh Academy,” Balashov wrote in a press release. “This opens up new opportunities for academic exchange, joint research and mutual learning between our universities. It is especially important that this cooperation takes place at a time when Ukrainian universities demonstrate their resilience and ability to adapt in the difficult conditions of war. We are grateful to our American partners for their support and willingness to cooperate.”

According to the Interim Associate Provost of Global Affairs Gillian Ice, the university is always open to forming partnerships and international collaborations that support the mission of the University. 

“International partnerships are a critical part of campus and curriculum internationalizations,” Ice said. “They open the doors for students to explore new cultures, learn new skills, language learning and collaboration. They often become a pathway for international students to complete a degree at Ohio University, supporting our access mission and helping to add cultural diversity to campus.”
 
Ice added that cultural organizations, like the International Student Union can be a good first step into global affairs – a sentiment echoed by Anastasia Maynich, owner of Maynich Consulting and an emergency and crisis management expert, who is from Ukraine. After moving to the U.S. in 2000, she served in the U.S. Army, seeing the frontlines in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In her experience as a civilian and as a soldier, she said, the need for international support as a result of war has skyrocketed.  She cautions students however, to engage with cultures respectfully and sensitively.

“History is, of course, important to Ukrainians, and that’s what they’re fighting for,” Maynich said. “They’re fighting for their land, they’re fighting for their rights. Teaching people about the history of Ukraine, it will be an absolutely fantastic idea.” 


She said programs like the National League of Cities’ ‘Sister Cities’ are a good way of exposing people to the additional support they may need as well.

“That exchange program is actually a brilliant idea to expose children to the American ways,” Maynich said. “The English language especially is going to go a long way after the war efforts because all of the aid (was in English). (It’s) basically the universal language for the Ukrainians.”

According to the National League of Cities website, the program aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation creating global relationships based on cultural, educational, informational and transactional exchanges and encouraging citizen diplomacy.

Letters and resolutions by the Ostroh and Athens city council recognizing important historical events highlight Maynich’s point and show the success of the Ostroh-Athens partnership thus far.

“This day symbolizes not only the birth of your great nation but also the triumph of democracy, freedom, and equality — values that we deeply share,” a letter celebrating the U.S. Independence Day from the Ostroh City Council read. “Your country has always been and remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for many nations around the world, including Ukraine.”

The letter added Yahodka’s appreciation for the sister city relationship and the future it may provide community members.

“This friendship is a vivid example of how communities from different parts of the world can unite for the common good, exchange experiences and provide mutual support,” Yudokha wrote. “On this festive day, we wish all citizens of your city and all Americans peace, prosperity and continued success. May the spirit of freedom and unity, established by your ancestors, continue to inspire new generations to great achievements.”

In response to the letter sent by Ostroh’s city council, all members of the Athens city council introduced a resolution congratulating Ostroh on its independence day on August 24.

“Athens City Council hereby extends warm congratulations on Ukrainian Independence Day,” the resolution read. “Athens City Council hereby confirms its intention to work with Liudmyla Kozak to arrange an online meeting between Athens and Ostroh City Councils to further the ties between cities and to learn from one another about our municipal government functions.”

Balashov said he is leaving Athens with useful information to share with his university staff and students.

“The cooperation between Ostroh and Athens is an example of how international partnerships can be effective and mutually beneficial, even in difficult times,” Balashov wrote. “We value this connection and believe that together we will be able to achieve even more in the educational and scientific space.”