Luke Myer MP today (24 August 2026) joined Ukrainian families in Middlesbrough to celebrate 35 years of Ukrainian independence and reaffirm Teesside’s support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.
The Ukrainian Independence Day event was organised by Cllr Luke Henman, Middlesbrough Council’s lead for Ukraine, bringing together women, children and families from the town’s Ukrainian community.
Luke addressed the gathering along with Petro Rewko MBE, Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, and local Ukrainian Saturday school teacher Nadiya Pearson, before children from the school performed a song.
The event celebrated Ukrainian history, culture and identity, while also remembering those who have lost their lives and the families separated by Russia’s war.
Luke told the gathering that Middlesbrough’s friendship with Ukraine stretches back decades, recalling the welcome Middlesbrough gave to the cadet crew of the Ukrainian tall ship Tovarishch in the 1990s. Since Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion in 2022, Teessiders have again rallied behind Ukraine, with local people opening their homes to refugees and voluntary groups sending vital supplies to the frontline.
Luke has repeatedly backed that effort in Parliament. Last year he tabled a parliamentary motion praising East Cleveland volunteers SUKS, who had completed more than 90 aid runs carrying medical equipment and essential supplies into Ukraine. He also met Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament, backed action to return Ukrainian children forcibly transferred into Russia, and pushed for tougher action against Russian-linked companies helping to finance Putin’s war.
In addition, Luke has worked closely with Ukrainian-Teessider Olha Pavliuk to raise the experiences of Ukrainian refugees directly in Parliament and press ministers over the lack of a Ukrainian GCSE, which can create barriers for young Ukrainians continuing their education in Britain.
Today’s event came as Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to Kyiv for his first overseas visit since entering Downing Street. The Labour Government used Ukrainian Independence Day to reaffirm Britain’s long-term commitment to the country, while announcing further cooperation to help Ukraine assemble long-range SCALP missiles domestically.
Luke Myer MP said:
“It was a privilege to join Middlesbrough’s Ukrainian community to celebrate 35 years of Ukrainian independence.
“For the Ukrainian families who have made Teesside their home, I know today brings enormous pride, but also thoughts of family and friends back home and everything their country has endured.
“Ukraine’s freedom and independence are being defended every single day, often at an unimaginable cost. Britain must continue to stand with them.
“Slava Ukraini, and happy Ukrainian Independence Day.”
