During his visit to Kiev, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier proposed the establishment of partnerships between German and Ukrainian cities. Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann comments on this as follows:
“The establishment of a new town twinning is a matter for the council. A political motion aimed at this should at the same time regulate the provision of financial and human resources. If this does not happen, it is only a symbolic motion that does not meet with the approval of the administration.
Incidentally, I would like to point out that the city of Rheine is already involved to an above-average extent in accommodating the 1,170 refugees currently arriving from Ukraine. This commitment costs several million euros and already ties up considerable personnel resources in the administration.
And to make it clear: It is right that we show solidarity here. But there are limits to our commitment.
The Federal President would have done well to offer support to the municipalities that want to establish a new town twinning in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the appeal alone is in line with the current policy of the German government, which is passing welfare and relief packages for citizens at the expense of the municipalities. Thus many municipalities – and Rheine also – threaten up-to-date the course into the budget safety device “.