The twinning agreement between Dnipro and Grand Rapids in the US was signed in Lublin, Poland, which is already a twin city of Dnipro. The Mayor of Dnipro Borys Filatov called this arrangement symbolic: three cities from different countries have come together through their shared history and support for Ukraine.

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The practical areas of cooperation are outlined in Grand Rapids City Commission Resolution No. 95930 dated 11 August 2026. The Commission approved the establishment of a partnership with Dnipro and authorised the mayor to sign the agreement. The resolution refers to the cities’ shared interests in the areas of educational exchanges, cultural cooperation, economic development, municipal innovation and interaction between community members. The resolution was published in the minutes of the Grand Rapids Commission meeting.

During the ceremony, the Mayor of Dnipro remained in contact with Dnipro’s municipal services. His American and Polish colleagues were able to see, via his phone, what was happening in the city, which is under daily russian attack.

In his speech, Borys Filatov emphasised that, for him, Ukrainian resistance is not a matter of political agreements or geopolitical strategies. He spoke of survival, the preservation of national identity, and the safety of families:

‘This is about survival. About preserving the national identity of millions of people. This is about being able to put our children to bed without fearing that by morning they will be pulled out from under the rubble in pieces.’

The Mayor also drew attention to how the war is affecting even relations between communities. He said that local self-government is focused on the interests of communities, but the political situation is becoming increasingly intertwined with their work.

‘In fact, if our meeting had taken place a few months earlier, I would under no circumstances have commented on issues of international politics. Because local self-government is about the interests of the community, not the global agenda. However, the political situation has crept in even there.’

At the same time, Borys Filatov emphasised that he distinguishes between the positions of the political elite and the attitudes of the people. He expressed his conviction that the majority of Poles and Americans support Ukraine, and recalled the shared interest of Ukraine and Poland in freedom and security.

‘Because anyone who understands the causes and consequences of russian aggression knows that without a free Ukraine, there will never be a free Poland. And the slogan “Za wolność naszą i waszą” will ring out like a refrain for as long as bloodthirsty russia remains on our doorstep.’

According to Borys Filatov, the partnership with Grand Rapids is also important because it demonstrates American support for Ukraine.

‘Our friendship with this wonderful city in the state of Michigan is yet another proof for all of us that America is not just its administration in the White House. America is the citizens of a nation that has remained a model of democracy and freedom for 250 years.’

 

 

Tadeusz Kościuszko served as a symbolic bridge between Lublin and Grand Rapids in the speech. Borys Filatov recalled that Kościuszko led the struggle for liberation against the Russian Empire and joined the American War of Independence. The Mayor also noted that Lublin honours the memory of Kościuszko, whereas Grand Rapids has a cultural centre named in his honour.

‘History does not favour parallels, but its intersections are always fascinating. So, perhaps it is no coincidence at all that we have gathered here in this very format.’

In conclusion, the Mayor of Dnipro thanked the American and Polish peoples for their support and expressed the hope that the new partnership with Grand Rapids, like the twinning arrangement with Lublin, would serve as a pillar of support for the cities and their residents.

‘I am delighted that we have succeeded in this. And I am confident that this new partnership with Grand Rapids, just like our existing twinning with Lublin, will continue to support our cities and their people.’