Ohio Strengthens Ties with Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik met this morning with several officials from the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv Oblast for the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at strengthening Ohio's support for the war-torn country.

Among those attending the signing ceremony from Ukraine were Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Regional Council Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko and Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova.

The ceremony, held in the Cabinet Room at the Statehouse, marks a renewed commitment between Ohio and Kharkiv Oblast, building on a longstanding relationship that promotes mutual progress in various areas. The Kharkiv Oblast delegation met with Governor DeWine, State Representative Sean Patrick Brennan, and representatives of the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Commission on Eastern European Affairs.

"Our partnership, rooted in goodwill and mutual respect, unites Ohio and Kharkiv Oblast in a shared vision for prosperity and advancement for our communities and citizens," said Governor DeWine.

"Today I was extremely honored to witness together with Governor Mike DeWine the signature of Memorandum of Cooperation between the Director of the Department of Development, State of Ohio, and the Kharkiv Regional Council," said Ambassador Markarova. "Thank you for standing with Ukraine for almost a thousand days of this terrible and brutal Russian aggression, thank you Mr. Governor, and thank you People of Ohio! I am confident that today we are opening a new chapter of our cooperation between our great countries and bringing our victory closer."

MORE: Signed Memorandum of Cooperation

The Memorandum of Cooperation builds on a partnership between the two countries established 22 years ago with the signing of an agreement of intent focused on mutual growth, with exchanges in business, the arts, and cultural understanding. The city of Cincinnati also plays a role in strengthening ties between the two regions with their decades-old sister-city relationship with the city of Kharkiv, extending their agreement with the region last year as a symbol of solidarity.

"The DeWine-Husted Administration has shown it's committed to deepening our state's partnership with Kharkiv," said Director Mihalik. "By signing a Memorandum of Cooperation, we are solidifying that partnership that will benefit many generations - building a world that is more interconnected, prosperous, and inclusive for all."

Ohio is home to more than 44,000 people of Ukrainian descent. In 2023, Ukraine was Ohio's 63rd largest export market, exporting more than $31 million worth of products. Ohio imported $205 million worth of goods from Ukraine in 2023.