Plymouth to suspend twinning link with Russian city of Novorossiysk
Plymouth and Novorossiysk have been twinned since 1990
Last updated 14th Mar 2022
Plymouth is set to suspend its twinning link with Novorossiysk, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Council Leader Nick Kelly said: "I‘ve had many messages from Plymouth residents who want to us to do whatever we can as a city to send the message that we are outraged by the actions of the Russian government.
"The impact of the Russian military’s violence against the people of Ukraine is horrifying and I don’t believe in all conscience that we can continue to maintain our formal links with Novorossiysk while this is happening.
"I have asked officers to look at suspending our twinning link with Novorossiysk as soon as possible.
"It is a great regret that after more than half a century of building relations between our two great maritime cities we have to consider this.
"We do not blame the people of Novorossiysk for the barbaric actions of their government but I don’t believe we can continue a formal association with a Russian civic authority while these atrocities are taking place."
Cllr Nick Kelly - Leader of Plymouth City Council
A friendship agreement has existed between Plymouth and Novorossiysk since 1956 and a formal twinning arrangement was signed in 1990.
Plymouth City Council continues to fly the Ukrainian flag in the city centre to show its support for the people of Ukraine.
It comes after the city's Novorossiysk Road sign was changed to Volodymyr Zelenksy Road.
The Council have confirmed that the change is unofficial and that the work has not been carried out by one of their workers.