In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Thursday that Burlington is ending its sister city relationship with Yaroslavl, a city northeast of Moscow.
“Burlington’s sister city relationship should not legitimize Putin’s anti-democratic actions in Yaroslavl, enable the spread of Putin propaganda, or facilitate in any way Putin’s dark and dangerous agenda,” Weinberger said in a press release announcing his decision.
Yaroslavl, with a population of over 600,000, is part of the Golden Ring group of ancient towns. The two cities have had a sister city relationship since 1988 through the independent nonprofit Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Program. The relationship has facilitated “exchanges and visits with students, business leaders and athletes,” according to the release. The city has contributed $2,000 annually to the program’s budget.
The mayor has distanced himself from the program since the controversial 2013 arrest of the city’s former mayor Yevgeny Urlashov, a Putin critic, and has declined several invitations to visit the city.
Weinberger indicated he wants to take a hard look at the sister city arrangement: “In the coming days, I will convene a meeting with the active Burlington members of the sister city program to discuss my longstanding concerns about this relationship, and how to properly restart it.”
— Talia Heisey
