The Town of Weston hosted a ceremony Wednesday to celebrate Ukrainian culture and announce the launch of a sister city initiative with an area impacted by the war with Russia.

Weston has joined the humanitarian effort to aid Ukrainian citizens in partnership with Ukraine Aid International, Inc. by adopting its sister city of Siversk. Stamford also has a sister city partnership with Kramatorsk, Ukraine.

"This is more than a gesture. It comes from the very heart of what Weston is all about, a spirit of generosity, an awareness that regardless of distance we are connected to those whose circumstances are very, very different from ours," said Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor.

Siversk is a small city that was founded in 1784 as a mining town. The city was the site of a battle with Russia in July 2022, but troops withdrew months later. However, Siversk has not had any gas or electricity for two years, and Internet and cellphone service is limited.

Weston plans to help raise funds to provide necessary relief to the people of Siversk.