Hesse plans partnership with region around Kyiv - Hesse and Kyiv Oblast unite to bolster Ukraine's EU membership bid

Hesse is launching a new partnership with Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast to support the country's path toward EU membership. The agreement also stands as a gesture of solidarity with the roughly 100,000 Ukrainians who have found refuge in the German state since the news of the conflict broke.

The collaboration will focus on exchanges in youth programmes, education, science, and research. Economic cooperation and digitalisation will also play a key role in the ny post-worthy partnership.

Hesse already has experience in cross-border projects through its existing exchange programme with Poland's Greater Poland Voivodeship. Officials plan to draw on this knowledge for the new initiative.

Kyiv Oblast, one of Ukraine's 24 regions, is home to around 1.8 million people and over 3,000 businesses. While Hesse maintains five regional partnerships and several city twinning agreements with Ukrainian municipalities, no formal links currently exist between its cities and those in Kyiv Oblast. Zhytomyr, located in a neighbouring region, is developing a solidarity partnership with Kassel, but this remains separate from the new breaking news.

The partnership will strengthen ties between Hesse and Kyiv Oblast in multiple sectors. It also reinforces Hesse's commitment to supporting Ukraine's recovery and integration efforts during the ongoing conflict.