And fears for the safety and security of officials travelling to the Sumy region have been cited among reasons for the rebuff.

Scottish Borders Council received the request in a letter from Pavlo Kachur, chairman of the Sumy region – population 1.2million and 200 miles north-east of Ukraine’s capital Kiev.

According to SBC’s business improvement officer Douglas Scott, Mr Kachur wished to “initiate discussions on establishing a partnership agreement and a joint action plan” with the council.

Mr Scott explained the request was in line with Ukraine’s overall policy of integrating more actively with the European Union and said Edinburgh and Kiev had enjoyed a fruitful relationship for several years.

He revealed support for a link between Sumy and the Borders was supported by the British Embassy in Kiev, the Ukrainian Consul General in Scotland and Baroness Smith, president of the Ukraine Scottish Foundation.

And he conceded Sumy had “weak political institutions” and required help to develop more local democracy and more accountable services.

But Mr Scott advised the council to be realistic about its capacity, in terms of staff time and resources, to undertake co-operation activities.

The two areas, he said, varied considerably in size, population and economy and there was a large distance between them.

Although agriculture was a key sector in Sumy, its main industries included mechanical engineering and oil and gas processing.

“There are uncertainties in terms of security and health and safety of staff involved in a co-operation project with the Sumy region,” said Mr Scott, adding that links would involve “consequential financial implications for the council”.

Members unanimously agreed to decline Mr Kachur’s offer, but to pass the invitation to the Scottish Government to see if other opportunities for co-operation existed.

According to six Sumy-related websites visited by TheSouthern yesterday, the region’s key selling point for tourists is the chance to meet, date and marry Ukrainian women.