Durham County Council has announced that it will end its twinning arrangements with a Russian city in show of solidarity with Ukraine.
The council had previously said it would keep its twinning arrangements with Kostroma "under review" amid the ongoing Russian invasion of the Eastern European country.
It had signed a charter of friendship with Kostroma on July 5, 1968, and since then hundreds of residents have travelled to the city to learn more about its culture, including folk groups, theatre companies and teachers.
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But almost a week after Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, Durham County Council has decided to end twinning arrangements with Kostroma, which lies around 250 miles to the North East of Moscow.
The leader of Durham County Council, Coun Amanda Hopgood, said the council "do not blame people in Kostroma for the actions of their country's leaders" but would be ending arrangements to show opposition.
Coun Hopgood said: "We share the horror and sadness felt by people around the world at the situation in Ukraine and our thoughts are very much with those who live there, as well as their family members and friends in different countries.
"As a gesture of our strong solidarity with and support for Ukraine, we are very proud to be flying its national flag at County Hall.
"We are an inclusive and welcoming county and as part of that have developed a number of town twinning arrangements over the years, with communities in Germany, Slovakia, Denmark, France, Spain, America and Hungary.
"In 1968, County Durham was first linked with the Russian city of Kostroma, although there have been no active projects in place through this twinning for some time.
"In light of the military action being carried out by Russia, and in line with steps already taken by other councils across the country, we will be ending the twinning arrangements with Kostroma as a show of our opposition.
"We wish to make it clear we do not blame people in Kostroma for the actions of their country's leaders.
"Our thoughts remain firmly with Ukraine."
