Ukraine outreach: Miami Beach and Miami move to make Odessa a ‘sister city’
Days after Odessa was rocked by Russian missiles, its mayor met virtually with the mayors of Miami Beach and Miami to discuss a “sister city” partnership they hope will bring humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian port city and create long-term diplomatic relations.
Odessa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, dressed in military fatigues and surrounded by his staff, held a video call Wednesday morning with Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
“In this difficult time during the war it’s very essential for us to know the world is supporting us,” he said through a translator.
Odessa was struck by missiles early Sunday, in an attack that Russia claimed had hit an oil refinery and fuel storage facilities, according to The Washington Post.
The Miami Beach City Commission voted to make Odessa a sister city later Wednesday. Gelber said the new partnership will involve raising money to purchase supplies for Ukrainians. It will also include cultural exchanges and diplomatic trips.
Suarez told the Miami Herald that the city of Miami will follow suit.
“It’s hard to look away from what’s happening in this country right now and I feel like we should be giving our residents and businesses an opportunity to help the freedom-loving people of Ukraine and Odessa,” Gelber told the Herald.
Since 2019, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce has been in charge of administering the sister city program, which is funded by the city.
The cities that have partnered with Miami Beach through the program, which began in 1959, include Fujisawa in Japan and Cascais in Portugal.
Robin Jacobs, immediate past chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce, said the relationship with Odessa takes the program to a new level because it will involve humanitarian aid. She said it was “surreal” and “intense” to be on the call with Trukhanov.
“Everyone feels so frustrated and sad, and we have an opportunity to make a big difference,” she said.
Miami Beach is creating an online donation portal, but in the meantime to make a donation call the Chamber of Commerce at 305-674-1300. The money will help purchase food and medicine, which Israeli rescue group United Hatzalah will fly to Ukraine, she said.
Jacobs said the chamber is also working with the Odessa Peace Fund and the Odessa Regional Council.
Cryptocurrency donations may be accepted
Gelber said cryptocurrency donations may be accepted, especially given Suarez’s work as a crypto ambassador, although details were not available Thursday.
Suarez, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said during the call with Odessa that although he and Gelber represent different political parties, they speak with one voice supporting Ukraine.
“We can provide humanitarian relief or anything you need,” he said. “It’s an honor for me to participate in this partnership.”
During the video call, Gelber said Odessa, Miami and Miami Beach share a lot in common: they are port cities known for their love of architecture and culture.
“But most importantly we believe that people have a right to be free,” he said. “That belief in freedom is what draws us to want to assist your city in any way we can going forward in these incredibly difficult times you are enduring and in the days afterwards.”
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 6:05 PM.
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