The City of Federal Way welcomed Rivne, Ukraine as its third sister city on March 1.

On Tuesday night, the Federal Way City Council designated Rivne, Ukraine as a Sister City to the City of Federal Way by a unanimous council vote.

“Every person wants to have a friend, brother or sister and kind, connected relationships,” said Oleksander Chubay, former city council member of Rivne, speaking in-person at the Tuesday council meeting. “We are happy we can develop this relationship with you.”

Chubay said on behalf of Rivne, they are grateful for Federal Way’s support. Albina Terpetska, Ukrainian community representative, assisted in translation.

“As you can see, we really need help and what’s happening in our country is horrifying,” Chubay said. “We appreciate that you support us verbally, but also by taking action.”

Rivne is the third sister city of Federal Way. Federal Way’s previously designated sister cities include Hachinohe, Japan and Donghae, South Korea.

“If we’re going to have sister cities, let’s make it a priority and make it a two-way street,” said Councilmember Jack Dovey, adding that Federal Way should add their sister cities into the budget to further provide support for their international relationships.

Valeriy Goloborodko, honorary consul of Ukraine, also thanked the city, saying the council’s vote is encouragement for the people of Rivne.

“That means that you believe in the same things that we believe,” said Goloborodko. “You believe together with us that Ukraine will prevail, you believe that Ukraine will stand, and you believe that there will be prosperity in Rivne and we will be able to enrich each other.”

Rivne has a population of about 245,000 people and is approximately 200 miles west of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

The Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce signed a Sister Chamber agreement with Rivne in September 2021.

“With a strong population of immigrants from Ukraine in the Federal Way area, the Chamber first met with the Consulate rep to explore economic opportunities with the City of Rivne in December 2020,” said Chamber CEO Rebecca Martin. “While discussing possibilities for business growth, we also talked about strengthening our relationship with a Sister Chamber agreement, focused on economic cooperation.”

The meeting was attended by Rivne City Mayor Oleksandr Tretiak, the Rivne Regional Council chairman, consulate representatives and the Rivne Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

“Plans for export/import programs, Ukrainian business focus groups, and a potential Sister City visitation were put on hold with the pandemic,” Martin said. “Now in 2022, we look to support the people of Ukraine through connection to humanitarian aid.”

Martin noted that the Chamber is hosting a Business Briefing Monday, March 7 with the Ukrainian Association of Washington State to address local options for donating personal and medical aid items. Registration is online at fedwaychamber.com.

“We look to a future which promotes commerce with our Sister Chamber in Rivne, Ukraine,” she said.

Federal Way Chamber CEO Rebecca Martin and Board Chair Dan Eisenman meeting with the Rivne mayor, consulates, and chamber representatives in Sept. 2021. Courtesy photo