**Derbyshire Council Forms Partnership with Ukraine Region**
Derbyshire County Council is about to sign a special agreement with Khmelnytskyi, a region in western Ukraine. This partnership aims to improve understanding between the two areas and explore business opportunities.
Khmelnytskyi has around 672,000 people living there. The total population of Ukraine is over 41 million people. Derbyshire Council’s leader, Councillor Barry Lewis, said their support for Ukraine remains strong.
**Warming Hearts and Homes**
The council was approached by the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK about forming a link with Khmelnytskyi. In January, officials from both sides met to discuss how they could benefit from each other.
Now, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet will meet on Thursday to sign off this new partnership. Councillor Lewis said: “This initiative is very important and shows our commitment to Ukraine.”
Derbyshire has taken in nearly 1,700 people since the UK government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme started in March 2022. About 600 people are still being hosted by local families, while others have moved on or returned home.
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