Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (left) and Zhytomyr Gov. Vitaliy Bunechko shake hands celebrating a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Courtesy Ukraine)
During a surprise stop in war-torn Ukraine Thursday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian province of Zhytomyr intended to promote academic, agricultural and cultural collaboration.
Holcomb and Zhytomyr Gov. Vitaliy Bunechko inked their signatures with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looking on.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shake hands on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Courtesy Ukraine)
“Some may call this sub-national diplomacy — in some sterile jargon … — but I prefer to call it community-to-community building,” Holcomb said during a live-streamed news conference, held after the signing.
“And the bond-building that we’re doing right now, putting it on paper, is built to last,” he added.
An English translation of Bunechko’s remarks was not immediately available.
But the Hoosier governor complimented his Ukrainian counterpart for “innovat(ing) yourselves to early success against great odds” and for his “commitment to humane values” amid war.
Holcomb is the first U.S. governor to visit the country since Russia invaded in 2022.
The agreement
The three-part MOU focuses on education, agriculture and culture.
Holcomb said Indiana and Zhytomyr had “overlapping similarities” in terrain, industrial sectors — manufacturing, life sciences, logistics — and beyond.
Indiana could double down on scholarship programs to bring more Ukrainian students to the state, for example.
His office has a to-do list for when the delegation returns, which includes reaching out to agricultural companies, museums, musical programs and so on.
“Thinking about … where we could be of assistance, not just in this hour of need in Ukraine, but thinking long term, how we can grow together,” he said. “It just made perfect sense to form this marriage.”
Holcomb turned to partnerships when asked how Indiana, as a single U.S. state, could assist a nation under siege.
“Two-thirds of Ukraine is free and open. … This country doesn’t get to just check out and and think about the economy next year,” he said. “Life has to go on, and that requires partnerships, … even in a time of war.”
“As for what one state can do, I mean, tens of millions of dollars,” he added.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb talks to Hoosier reporters in a second news conference during a visit to Ukraine on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Screenshot of video call)
He suggested that Hoosier companies like Eli Lilly & Co. or Corteva do more business and charity work in the country: child cancer medicine, diabetic care, crop production, seed rotation and so on.
Holcomb’s delegation will also meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink. They’ll additionally visit the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, which honors those who have died in the war.
The Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which privately fundraises for international economic development trips, will pay for the governor’s travel. The entity raises millions but doesn’t disclose all its donors.
But, Holcomb is term-limited and will leave office early January.
He said it was up to his successor to continue or rescind the MOU, but that Indiana wouldn’t pull back under his leadership.
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