Odesa mayor thanks Yokohama for cooperation in reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure

Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, left, and Gennadiy Trukhanov, mayor of Odesa in Ukraine, sign a Memorandum on Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development in Yokohama on March 16. Yushin Adachi YOKOHAMA - The mayor of the Ukrainian city of Odesa made the long journey here at a difficult time to thank his sister city and ask for continued support in rebuilding his city's damaged infrastructure.

Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov signed a Memorandum with Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka on March 16 to cooperate for the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure destroyed by Russia's invasion.

Trukhanov also gave a speech at the city assembly chamber to express his gratitude for Yokohama's support and his determination not to yield to Russia's aggression.

Yokohama and Odesa agreed in the memo that the former will provide technical cooperation to restore water, sewage and electricity facilities, as well as roads and other infrastructure in Odesa and its surrounding areas that have been badly damaged by the war.

The mayor said he hopes Yokohama will provide support with its expertise, experience and excellent technology.

He told the city assembly that Odesa was filled with an atmosphere that was quite similar to Yokohama until February 2022.

He went on to condemn Russia, saying that the occupier brought pain, destruction and death to his land starting from Feb. 24 last year.

Trukhanov expressed his appreciation for Yokohama's aid that included water purifiers and warm clothing sent to Odesa after the invasion.

He said that such support and solidarity will bring about victory for his nation, the biggest goal for Ukraine, drawing loud cheers from assembly members.