State Sen. Bill Dodd, second from left, on the Senate floor April 25 with, from left, Rostyslav Tistyk, member of the parliament of Ukraine; Dmytro Kusheruk, consul general of Ukraine in San Francisco; and Sergii Demydenko, CEO of Rebuild Ukraine Synergy.
The California state legislature solidified its support for Ukraine this week when members approved the creation of a sister-state relationship with Lviv, Ukraine. The measure was authored by state Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), who represents the 3rd district, which includes portions of Sonoma and Napa counties.
Lviv is the sixth largest city in Ukraine, with a population of more than 717,000. The city has come under regular attack since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022; it’s western location, however, has rendered it a destination for refugees from the east fleeing attacks on Kyiv and other locations closer to the Russian border.
Historically, Ukrainians began arriving in California in the late 19th century and now make up a population of more than 100,000—or one in six Ukrainian immigrants in the United States, according to Dodd’s office. The city of Sacramento ranks first in the nation in the share of its population that is from Ukraine.
“One of the largest Ukrainian communities in the United States is in California, so it makes sense that we forge an official bond with the Lviv region,” Sen. Dodd said in an announcement. “We share many mutual values, aspirations and interests including economic cooperation, academic research, cultural exploration and technological innovation.”
Added Dodd: “In the face of the brutal war unleashed by Russia, it is especially important to foster this sister-state relationship to promote prosperity, understanding and goodwill within the region.”
California has made previous ties with Ukraine. It was among the first to recognize 1932-33 Holodomor tragedy which led to the death of millions of Ukrainians at the hands of the Soviets. In 2014, the California Senate approved a resolution of cooperation between the California National Guard and Ukraine. Over the years, this partnership has made humanitarian support a constant aspect of every deployment, including helping with school repairs in the Lviv region.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 96 recognizes this close relationship and invites the people of Lviv to join in the sister-state relationship with California, according to the announcement from Dodd’s office. SCR 96 was approved by the Assembly April 25 after previously being approved by the Senate.
Dmytro Kushneruk, Ukrainian consul general in San Francisco, commented on the “deep significance” the sister-state relationship holds.
“It’s a heartfelt recognition of our shared commitment to freedom, democracy and resilience,” said Kushneruk in a statement. “This partnership between Lviv and California is more than diplomatic ties; it’s a symbol of hope and solidarity, a testament to the enduring spirit of our people and the unbreakable bonds that unite us.”
