Rep. Brennan Joins Governor DeWine and Director Mihalik in Strengthening Ohio's Ties with Kharkiv Oblast

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) joined Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik in welcoming several officials from the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv Oblast for the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at strengthening Ohio’s support for Ukraine.

Among those attending the signing ceremony from Ukraine were the Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Regional Council Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko and Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova. 

This event marks a renewed commitment between Ohio and Kharkiv Oblast, building on a longstanding relationship that promotes mutual progress. The Kharkiv Oblast delegation met with Governor DeWine, Rep. Brennan, and representatives of the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Commission on Eastern European Affairs. 

“I was profoundly honored and proud to join Governor DeWine and Director Mihalik in welcoming our honorable Ukrainian officials to the Statehouse. Our great state remains steadfast in its commitment to our relationship with Kharkiv Oblast,” said Rep. Brennan. “The economic and cultural ties between Ukraine and Ohio are very important and advantageous to one another.”

The Memorandum of Cooperation builds on a partnership between the two countries established 22 years ago with the signing of an agreement of intent focused on mutual growth, with exchanges in business, the arts, and cultural understanding. 

Ohio is home to more than 44,000 people of Ukrainian descent. In 2023, Ukraine was Ohio’s 63rd largest export market, exporting more than $31 million worth of products. Ohio imported $205 million worth of goods from Ukraine in 2023.