Ukraine Solidarity & Delegations
The County of Santa Clara proudly stands in solidarity with Ukraine and supports Ukrainian Americans. The County is honored that the Ukraine Citizen Diplomacy Commission has organized several delegations from Ukraine and is creating connections for the development of direct Sister/Sister relationships with Ukraine.
A Story Of Solidarity - Santa Clara County & Ukraine
Background: Ukraine is the second-largest nation in Europe and home to more than 33 million people. The nation has profound historical and cultural significance. Its capital, Kyiv, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, reflects a rich heritage that traces back to the earliest hominins on the continent.
Since declaring independence in 1991, Ukraine has developed positive and cooperative international relationships including with the United States of America, which is a strong and peaceful partnership grounded in mutual respect and democratic values.
In 1987, the County of Santa Clara’s Sister County Program expanded global connections to foster cross-cultural diplomatic relationships which has included hosting international delegations. The County of Santa Clara established a relationship with the Moscow Oblast, however actions by the Russian Federation created difficulties for this relationship.
After the Russian Federation's brutal invasion in early 2022, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution condemning the invasion, standing in solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans, and severing all formal ties between the County of Santa Clara and local and state governments with Moscow. Additionally, the U.S. Congressional Office of International Leadership’s Open World Program suspended all Russian delegations.
In late 2022, the Open World Program sought to expand their delegations to former Soviet States and our County Sister Commission was asked to apply to host delegations from Ukraine. In December 2022, the County Sister Commission was awarded two delegations in May 2023 and September 2024. On April 4, 2023 the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to welcome the Ukrainian delegations.
As the Commission continued to enhance relationships with Ukraine, and as an act of solidarity with Ukraine, on October 8, 2024 the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Commission's name change to 'Ukraine Citizen Diplomacy'. In January 2025, the County of Santa Clara Ukraine Citizen Diplomacy Sister Commission held their first official meeting. The Commission will host the third Ukrainian Open World Delegation in June 2025.
Supervisor Otto Lee serves as Board Liaison to the County's Sister Commissions, and is grateful for the new friendships and connections with our local Ukrainian families including the Ukraine Consulate General of San Francisco.
Learn more about the Ukraine Citizen Diplomacy Commission - CLICK HERE
2023 Ukraine Delegation Flag Raising
Event Page => Click HERE for LINK
2024 Ukraine Delegation Flag Raising
Event Page => Click HERE for LINK
2025 Ukraine Delegation Flag Raising
Event Page => Click HERE for LINK
Supervisor Lee visits Ukraine refugees in Poland during trip to Europe
Foreign affairs have a major impact on the daily lives of families across County of Santa Clara, especially as so many are connected to immigrants and refugees - nearly 1 in 40 County of Santa Clara residents. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, Supervisor Lee traveled to Europe, but he adjusted his schedule to see how he could help Ukrainians. He traveled to Poland to witness the plight of the Ukrainian elderly, women, and children at a refugee food distribution center. He saw them suffering the psychological trauma of war and how they need our assistance to resettle. ABC7 coverage of Supervisor Lee's visit.
As an immigrant myself, I am so thankful to Santa Clara County and my colleagues for standing up to this war and continuing to be a welcoming home for those seeking and deserving to be free and live without violence. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and call for an end to war."
-Supervisor Otto Lee
