THE LEADER of the council will write to her counterpart in Oxford’s twin city in Russia to express her condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine.

Oxford was twinned with Perm, a city near the Ural Mountains and 700 miles east of Moscow, in 1995.

Asked what action would be taken by the council in the wake of President Putin’s order to his troops to invade Ukraine on Thursday, Oxford City Council leader Cllr Susan Brown did not suggest the link with Perm would be severed.

However, she told the Oxford Mail in a statement: “We will be writing to Perm to express our condemnation of the Russian government and our support for brave peace activists in Russia.

READ MORE: LIVE UPDATES: Protest in Oxford to support Ukraine

“We look forward to a time when we can rebuild friendships between the people of Perm and Oxford. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and communities impacted here in Oxford.”

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown. Picture: Ed Nix

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown. Picture: Ed Nix

The council leader added: “Friendship and twinning links in our city have been built on existing networks of connections developed over time between our city and another.

“[They] have been about supporting people in developing democracies, building understanding between countries, promoting peace and encouraging the international outlook that our city has always prided itself on.

“Our friendship links are with the cities and their people, not their governments, but have allowed us to raise concerns with our twin cities about national governments’ actions.”

READ MORE: West Ukrainian Oxford student shares the situation back home

She said: “Oxford City Council condemns without reservation the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian government led by President Putin. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the Ukrainian people.

“This is a tragedy not just for the people of Ukraine, but also for those of Russia who have been plunged into this war against democracy, and many of whose citizens are bravely protesting against this outrage.

“Our thoughts are with all those residents of Oxford who have family and friends in Ukraine and Russia who will be so full of fear, worry and sadness at this time.”

Perm in Russia, with the Krasavinsky Bridge in the background

Perm in Russia, with the Krasavinsky Bridge in the background

Oxford was officially twinned with Perm, reportedly the most easterly city in Europe, in 1995 after six years of links being forged between the universities and civic leaders.

In November 2020, leaders in both cities marked the 25th anniversary of the association with a series of online events.

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