Weston Welcomes Ukraine Leaders

Weston Today photos

Siversk, Ukraine leader Alexei Vorobyov got to know sister city Weston — and many in town got to know him — as a group of officials from the embattled Donetsk region visited on September 11.

In the photo above, from the left, Mr. Vorobyov traveled with Sergii Kaliian, who leads the Bakhmut district in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, and Yurii Vynokurov, essentially the region’s lieutenant governor.

The day began on the Town Green with a welcome from First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor, remarks, and a warm exchange of gifts.

For Mr. Vorobyov, the next five hours were a whirlwind tour of Weston High School, the police department, the fire department, and briefly the dog park, accompanied by Ms. Nestor and Katya Wauchope of Ukraine Aid International, who interpreted.

The charismatic, energetic Mr. Vorobyov seemed to particularly enjoy his visit to the high school, where he was greeted by members of the Siversk club and delighted to find two of them conversant in Ukrainian. Although out of sequence, we begin our photo-driven report there.

In an art class, Mr. Vorobyov left his autographed handprint. He visited a music rehearsal, had a chat with SRO Jon Marsili, was treated to lunch, had a look at the gym, and learned about the pollinator garden. After a brief impromptu round of ping pong, it was a farewell hug from Principal Meghan Conetta.

An array of photos from the school visit …

Other visits

Mr. Vorobyov is the head of administration in Siversk. Referring to him as the mayor has never been exactly correct, but is a close approximation of his role. He manages Siversk’s humanitarian assistance and essential public services, coordinates with Ukrainian military authorities, and oversees the city’s wartime administration. As such, he has an affinity with first responders.

He was taken through Weston Fire Station 1 by WVFD Captain Mike Shlansky and visited the Police Department with Police Captain Joe Miceli. Mr. Vorobyov is a dog lover, so a long day ended with a stop at the dog park with Ms. Nestor, her husband Michael, and their dogs.

Another array …

The ceremony

The first selectwoman recalled how the relationship with Siversk formed in a call early in 2023 from Marshall Mayer, the co-founder and executive director of Ukraine Aid International. A series of virtual meetings with Mr. Vorobyov began in May of that year and have continued periodically since.

“The work is not done,” said Ms. Nestor. “We have to make sure we don’t get tired and don’t forget. Ukraine was our friend on 9/11, and we have to be their friend now.”

Donations to help Siversk via Ukraine Aid International are still very much needed.

Mr. Mayer

Ms. Nestor introduced Mr. Mayer, who said the organization has now formed Sister City Partnerships in more Connecticut towns, cities in Oregon and California, and cities in France and Germany. In all, he said, some 520,000 Ukrainians are supported with water, heat, electricity, municipal services, and services for children such as the summer camps funded by Weston donations.

Those attending then heard words of appreciation and friendship from Mr. Vynokurov, the Donetsk region’s lieutenant governor, Mr. Kaliian, the Bakhmut district administrator, and from Mr. Vorobyov. Gifts were exchanged. (It was a swag-heavy day.)

Mr. Vynokurov

Mr. Kaliian

Mr. Vorobyov

Scenes from the ceremony …