Ukrainian Civic Delegation Visits Tulsa

Sumy, Ukraine is the new "Partnership City" for Tulsa.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A delegation of civic leaders from Sumy, Ukraine, is visiting Tulsa, days after the two cities agreed on a partnership to build cultural, educational and business ties. Sumy is less than 25 miles from the Russian border and has been subject to frequent attacks that have disrupted electricity and heat during the coldest part of winter.

Why it matters

The partnership between Tulsa and Sumy represents an opportunity for the two cities to develop cultural, educational and business ties, despite the challenging security situation in Sumy due to its proximity to the Russian border. This visit is an important first step in strengthening the relationship between the two cities.

The details

The Ukrainian delegation is meeting with oil and gas executives, drone tech companies, and touring infrastructure like a Tulsa water plant and hospital, as they look toward the day when Sumy can be rebuilt. Oklahoma State University already has a relationship with the city of Sumy. The group has invited Tulsa officials to visit Ukraine when the security situation allows.

  • The delegation from Sumy, Ukraine is visiting Tulsa in February 2026.
  • Tulsa and Sumy recently agreed on a partnership to build cultural, educational and business ties.

The players

Dmytri Zhyvytskyi

The former Governor of Sumy Oblast, who said Russia was killing citizens with cold in Sumy.

Karl Ahlgren

A former congressional staffer for Oklahoma, who helped develop the agreement that has put Sumy and Tulsa on a path towards 'Sister City' status.

Monroe Nichols

The Mayor of Tulsa, who told the Ukrainian delegation that Tulsa will fully invest in the relationship with Sumy.

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What they’re saying

“We don't have electricity during 20 hours, 15 hours per day. If we don't have electricity, we don't have heating, and we don't have water. And, in my own flat now, the heating system is frozen now in my flat; it's minus ten degrees Celsius. They strike kindergartens, hospitals, universities, schools, private houses, bridges, electricity stations, heating stations.”

— Dmytri Zhyvytskyi, Former Governor of Sumy Oblast

“So we're going to see some real opportunities for Tulsa, in particular, to be able to partner with a city that's going through some really tough times. But they're resilient. They're culturally very similar to us. So it's going to be exciting for really Tulsans and the citizens of Sumy to partner together.”

— Karl Ahlgren, Former congressional staffer for Oklahoma

“You can expect us to fully invest in our relationship, because I know coming here was no small thing, and we want to honor that.”

— Monroe Nichols, Mayor of Tulsa

What’s next

The group has invited Tulsa officials to visit Ukraine when the security situation allows.

The takeaway

The partnership between Tulsa and Sumy represents an opportunity for the two cities to develop cultural, educational and business ties, despite the challenging security situation in Sumy due to its proximity to the Russian border. This visit is an important first step in strengthening the relationship between the two cities and demonstrating Tulsa's commitment to supporting Sumy during a difficult time.