Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2025
I join others in welcoming the consul general of Ukraine to the Parliament. I spoke to him just before we came into the chamber, and he emphasised how much it means to the great people of Ukraine to know that they have the resolute support of the people of Scotland and across the United Kingdom.
I thank the First Minister for his statement today, which I welcome. No one wanted to see the scenes that unfolded on Friday night at the White House. For three years, Ukraine, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has defended itself against the odds. The world has looked on in admiration and respect as the people of Ukraine have heroically stood up to brutal Russian aggression. Last week, I, like the First Minister and other party leaders, stood with the Ukrainian community in Scotland to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion and to commemorate the lives that have been lost.
The events of the past week were a defining moment for peace and security in Europe. They require serious grown-up leadership, not Twitter diplomacy. This is an issue of war and peace and of life and death, so politicians should not resort to childish attacks on social media for perceived party interest, but instead prioritise peace and the national interest.
Keir Starmer is right to say that he will only take actions that help to achieve peace, not actions to undermine it. That is what should guide all of us. That is why he spent the weekend meeting with President Zelenskyy and the leaders of 18 nations. The Prime Minister is assembling a coalition to find a path that will end the war and ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed up by strong security guarantees. That means working together for long-term peace in Europe and taking tough decisions, such as prioritising defence spending.
Security is the first responsibility of every Government, and all our actions should be guided by the need for peace. Scotland and all of the UK stand alongside Ukraine in its hour of need. We should all recommit to the cause of peace and freedom across Europe and the cause of peace and freedom across the world. Does the First Minister agree that, if the result of that diplomacy and those actions is lasting peace in Europe, it will be worth it?