The invitation came during a video meeting held this week between Mr Rystaiko and Councillor Guy, during which they discussed how the Council and local communities could further deepen the relationships between communities in Bath And North East Somerset and Ukraine.

Councillor Guy said: “I was honoured to speak with Ambassador Rystaiko and feeI privileged to be invited to the Ukrainian Embassy to continue the conversation about how we can help further, including exploring how we can forge direct relationships with Alexandria (Oleksanriya) in Ukraine.

“Bath & North East Somerset Council and our communities stand ready to do whatever we can to help the people of Ukraine, who have suffered so much. We need to offer practical help here and now but also look at ways to strengthen bonds of friendship with people and communities in Ukraine.

“I have been proud of our community’s response to the terrible events in Ukraine. I would like to thank everyone locally for what they have done to help, whether that is sponsors providing accommodation or voluntary and community groups such as Bath Welcomes refugees providing support.”

So far one hundred and seventy nine people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been welcomed to Bath and North East Somerset under the Homes to Ukraine scheme, with eighty three sponsors providing accommodation.