A convoy of nine vehicles, including six police cars, a fire truck, and two passenger cars loaded with medical equipment, computer hardware, and bulletproof vests, arrived in Lviv as part of a humanitarian initiative led by Bart Somers, mayor of the Belgian city of Mechelen.
This was reported by a correspondent for Ukrinform.
“We have very good relations with our sister city Lviv. We are very proud that Lviv is our sister city. It all started with the war. I was actually on the Maidan back in 2014, and that’s when I became very emotionally interested in the Ukrainian people,” the mayor of Mechelen told Ukrinform.
The convoy was assembled at the request of the Lviv city authorities for assistance in providing official vehicles, including used police cars, the mayor explained.
“We mobilized efforts in our city, in particular the police, who provided several cars, as well as 200 bulletproof vests. The fire brigade donated one of its vehicles, and the hospital helped with medical equipment. Businessmen got together and repaired the cars for free and brought them into proper condition. So everyone helped a little, which was really touching,” Somers said.
“We are a small city, and we can do little, but everyone can help. We are sending a signal that we have not forgotten about Ukraine. We understand that you are the shield that protects us, that we must do more, that we are a little ashamed that Europe is not doing more for you, that you should already be a member of NATO, a member of the European Union, which, in my opinion, would be quite logical,” said the mayor.
The mayor of the Belgian city added that such actions also help remind the Belgian people about the war in Ukraine amid the emergence of new conflicts around the world.
“We must show our people that this is not just any war, this is our war, and you are not just any people, you are our people. You are Europeans, part of our European family,” Somers emphasized.
The mayor also noted that his city was the first in Belgium to open a camp for displaced Ukrainians, which has taken in over a thousand people, and that hundreds of Ukrainians still live in Mechelen, actively speaking out in defense of Ukraine.
“Ten years ago, few people in Belgium knew much about Ukraine, but now people are very enthusiastic about your country, impressed by it and its people. They already have a certain emotional connection and are ready to do more to help,” the mayor concluded.
As reported by Ukrinform, Belgian Ambassador to Ukraine Luc Jacobs, commenting on Russia’s recent combined strike on Kyiv, said that the lives destroyed as a result of Russian attacks are an unacceptable price to pay for the lack of unity and determination to force Russia to start peace talks.
It was also reported that on June 22, the Belgian municipality of Merelbeke-Melle officially became a sister city of Kalush. Mayor Egbert Lashert signed a memorandum of twinning with Kalush Mayor Andriy Naida during his first visit to Ukraine.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
Source: Mayor of Mechelen highlights humanitarian convoy arrival in Lviv
