Sheffield councillors Mark Rusling and Matthew Dwyer are set to embark on a three-day visit to Lviv, Ukraine, in a bid to demonstrate Sheffield’s ongoing support for the country amid the ongoing conflict.
Despite Lviv being a recent target by Russian attacks last night, their trip is still set to go ahead.
The trip has been organised by a couple who fled Kyiv at the start of the war and now arrange such visits to highlight conditions in Ukraine and foster international solidarity.
Councillor Rusling said: “What we are saying to Ukrainian refugees in the UK is we have your back. We are doing this for you, but also for ourselves. If we don’t stop Putin here, we will have to stop him somewhere else, closer to us, and it will cost more.”
Speaking on Friday, Coun Rusling told ShefNews Lviv was a target of attacks last night, but maintained the trip will still go ahead ‘unless we’re told otherwise’.
During their visit, the councillors plan to meet with the Mayor of Lviv, soldiers, and local government officials, as well as speak with Ukrainian residents affected by the war.
Coun Rusling added: “We really believe that, at this time, we need to show all the support we can to Ukraine. That’s the patriotic thing to do. By supporting Ukrainian freedom, we’re supporting our own freedom.
“The lesson from appeasement in the 1930s is that Putin will not stop with Ukraine. That’s why we are using our own money to visit Lviv, to learn from officials and ordinary people, and to bring their messages back to Sheffield.”
The visit follows last Friday’s tense White House meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance.
Rusling emphasised the importance of demonstrating solidarity: “It’s really important to signal that support to refugees. I believe this will be something I reflect on when I return. It’s pretty clear Europe is going to have to deal with this, because Trump isn’t.”
Councillor Matthew Dwyer, who will be accompanying Rusling, echoed the sentiment, stating: “This trip aims to strengthen solidarity between Ukraine and Britain, ensuring that people in the UK do not forget about the war and the struggles of the Ukrainian people.”
Dwyer also clarified that the full cost of the visit is being covered personally by the councillors’ own pockets, with no external funding. “We are using our own money. It seems a reasonable and worthwhile way to contribute, injecting funds directly into Ukraine.”
Dwyer added: “It’ll be a whirlwind trip and a very busy one, but it will be well worth it.”
The councillors are expected to return on 17th March and hope to share their experiences with Ukrainian refugees in Sheffield, as well as the wider UK and Sheffield communities.