Dallas suspends ties with Russian ‘sister city’ in response to ongoing invasion of Ukraine
The Dallas City Council decided Wednesday to cut all diplomatic ties between the city and Russia, including suspending its relationship with its Russian sister city Saratov, and condemned Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Star-Telegram news partner WFAA-TV reported.
Part of a resolution passed by the council Wednesday included suspending its “official relationship” with Saratov, WFAA reported.
Saratov is about 520 miles southeast of Moscow, in the southern region of the nation. Saratov is one of 12 international cities known as “Sister and Friendship” cities, WFAA reported.
The cities have been partners “to build global cooperation at the municipal level” through culture and economy, as the Dallas Office of Economic Development describes the program, since 2004, according to WFAA.
The resolution acknowledges “the long-time cultural, educational, and medical ties with the people of Saratov and supports any efforts by the people of Dallas and Saratov to work toward peace and understanding during this challenging time.”
The resolution also says the city will not authorize contracts with any “entities with significant ties to the Russian regime under Vladimir Putin.”
The resolution was teased by Mayor Eric Johnson in a memo to the council on March 3, announcing plans to vote on a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, WFAA reported.
“When we say Dallas is an international city, that’s more than some sort of marketing campaign,” Johnson said before council on Wednesday, according to WFAA. “It’s got to be a real thing. If we’re going to be a part of a global community, we have to stand up at times like this and make our intentions and our feelings known.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 5:50 PM.