City Council has made a resolution to show support for Ukraine and Steinbach's sister city Zaporizhia.

During the council question period at Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Earl Funk introduced the resolution and asked if council was willing to support it.

Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra read out the official resolution.

"Be it resolved that the city of Steinbach expresses its support for the people of Ukraine and that Steinbach City Council hopes for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current crisis."

>Zaporizhzhia's clock tower, fountains and city hall. Photo credit: Google Maps."Zaporizhia is our sister city and our former mayor has helped them with politics and developing their governance. We just felt that it would be very good to show, coming from their sister city, that we are in there, in support of them, and we are praying for them and that we are concerned for them and that we are looking for a speedy and peaceful solution to their crisis."

Funk notes according to Goertzen, Zaporizhia is in a heated conflict zone right now and Steinbach City Council would like to offer whatever encouragement they can.

Zwaagstra says as Canadians, we stand for freedom and democracy, and we stand against an invasion launched by a dictator.

"In Steinbach, in our region, we have some pretty close connections with Ukraine. There are a lot of people with Ukrainian heritage in our area and we, of course, have a sister city in Ukraine and it is absolutely appropriate that we express our support for the people of Ukraine and I think this is something that we can all agree on in Canada."

Councillor Susan Penner notes she has friends who returned to Canada from Ukraine days before the invasion. She notes they were adopting a child.

"It does lead me to reflect on all of the children in the orphanages there because that is a significant population. Even parents and mothers going it alone because their husbands have to fight. So, my heart is really with those moms and children, how difficult that must be. I just really encourage people to keep praying for the situation."

In all of the heartache and pain, Penner adds it is encouraging to see the strength of the Ukrainian spirit and how many people are stepping up to the plate to help.

Council was unanimous in supporting the resolution.