A cross-party delegation from the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) has recently returned from a significant diplomatic visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, demonstrating Wales’ unified support for the Ukrainian people amid their ongoing struggle.
The delegation, representing Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives, and Plaid Cymru, showcased complete political unity across Welsh political parties in solidarity with Ukraine. Led by Member of the Senedd Mick Antoniw MS, the delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Ukrainian government officials and local authorities.
During their visit, the Welsh representatives met with the Ukrainian Government, the Children’s and Language Commissioners, Kyiv City Council, and various ministers responsible for culture and infrastructure. These discussions focused on strengthening ties between Wales and Ukraine and exploring future twinning opportunities between regions of both countries.
Among their initiatives, the delegation proposed the installation of a commemorative plaque to honour Welsh journalist Gareth Jones, who famously exposed the Holodomor—Stalin’s man-made famine that killed an estimated 4–5 million Ukrainians in the early 1930s.
The Welsh representatives also visited the Mayor of Korystyshiv and a local hospital to discuss potential humanitarian cooperation.
In a symbolic gesture, they placed a new Welsh flag on the bridge overlooking Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in central Kyiv. The delegation paid their respects at Babyn Yar, the site where 30,000 victims of the Nazi Holocaust were massacred during World War II.
This visit marks an important step in developing closer relations between Wales and Ukraine, fostering cultural connections and creating partnerships that will benefit both nations in the future.
