Ukraine is not alone—French cities continue to mobilize. At Saint-Nazaire City Hall, the cities of Kherson, Nantes, and Saint-Nazaire came together to officially launch a partnership between the three estuary cities: the Loire for Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, and the Dnipro for Kherson.
Vitalii Bielobrov, Deputy Mayor of Kherson, traveled to France for this symbolic event. The official signing took place in Saint-Nazaire, in the presence of Mayor David Samzun, Johanna Rolland, Mayor of Nantes and President of Nantes Métropole, Ukrainian Ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko, and the Stand With Ukraine team.
Kherson, a strategic city in southern Ukraine located on the banks of the Dnipro River, was occupied by Russian forces at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. After more than eight months under occupation, it was liberated by Ukrainian forces in November 2022. The region was later severely impacted by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023, which caused widespread flooding, population displacement, and major power outages.
For over three years, Nantes and Saint-Nazaire have stood by the Ukrainian people through acts of solidarity, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and civic initiatives. The signing of this partnership, as part of the MistoMatch program launched by Stand With Ukraine, marks a major milestone—cementing this long-standing commitment and deepening already strong ties.
The mayors expressed their shared determination to bring this cooperation to life in the months ahead through joint projects grounded in the common realities of these three estuary cities.
“This partnership is much more than a formality. It is a union of the brave and the indomitable. And I truly hope that soon, after our victory, when Ukraine has regained a just peace, I will be able to welcome you in a free and reborn Kherson.”
—Vitalii Bielobrov, Deputy Mayor of Kherson
During the ceremony, David Samzun emphasized the importance of “working together for a just and lasting peace,” while Johanna Rolland delivered a powerful message to Ukrainians: “You are not alone.”
