Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 04 March 2025
04 Mar 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Ukraine
I think that the importance of a guarantee of security is absolutely fundamental in this discussion. Without a guarantee of security, the suffering of the people of Ukraine in the course of the past three years will have been for nothing, should they be exposed to further Russian aggression. Therefore, the point that Mr Gibson puts to me is vital.
I have set out the Government’s position today in order to contribute to the discussion that is under way across a range of European and western countries on how, collectively and collaboratively, we can assure the security of Ukraine. If we do not secure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, we will be acting in a manner that will undermine the safety and security of western democracy, and we must not take that step.
Therefore, my point to Mr Gibson is about the importance of us contributing to that European dialogue and working with the United States to deliver the security that Ukraine requires. If we do not do that, we will, I fear, see more of the aggression that we have seen from Russia in the future.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by John Swinney on international solidarity to support Ukraine. The First Minister will take questions at the end of...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
The First Minister will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 30 minutes for questions. It would be helpful if m...
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
We are honoured to be joined today, in the public gallery, by the consul of Ukraine in Edinburgh. Applause. For more than a century, the United Kingdom and ...
The First Minister
SNP
First, I associate myself with the welcome to the consul general of Ukraine. I am glad that he is here to hear these exchanges and the solidarity that we hav...
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
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 i...
The First Minister
SNP
In short, yes. I welcome the role that the Prime Minister has taken in recent months, weeks and days—particularly intensively in recent days—to try to establ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I join others in welcoming the consul general of Ukraine, and I recognise the impact of these discussions on Ukraine and on Ukrainians who are living in Scot...
The First Minister
SNP
I will make two points in response to that. First, Patrick Harvie used the term “truth”. Truth is so important in the conduct of these issues, because we all...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I, too, welcome the appearance of our friend the Ukrainian consul general. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam slava. President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are h...
The First Minister
SNP
First, what I said about the state visit in my statement is what I have been saying all weekend. There is nothing different about what I said to Parliament t...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
It has been an absolute privilege to welcome Ukrainian people to Scotland during this difficult time. However, in this time of increased uncertainty—particul...
The First Minister
SNP
Rona Mackay highlights the unease and anxiety that must be felt by Ukrainian citizens who are living in this country. Their lives have been turned upside dow...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister
SNP
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Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
I think that the importance of a guarantee of security is absolutely fundamental in this discussion. Without a guarantee of security, the suffering of the pe...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
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The First Minister
SNP
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Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister
SNP
I readily associate myself with Jackson Carlaw’s suggestion. Invitations to Parliament are, of course, a matter for the Presiding Officer and the parliamenta...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the First Minister’s strong support for the principle of Ukrainian territorial integrity, its independence and the principle of self-determination....
The First Minister
SNP
Mr Brown speaks with the authority of having been a member of the armed forces who served in active combat in the Falklands war in 1982. As I do on many issu...
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
We must be steadfast in our support for Ukraine at this uncertain time, and I echo the need for international solidarity to defeat Russian aggression. Can th...
The First Minister
SNP
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Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine for what they have endured, and their hopes for peace and security for their nation and their right to sovereignty...
The First Minister
SNP
Pauline McNeill knows that I come at my politics from the perspective of believing in the necessity of European co-operation and active participation in Euro...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
We all want to see a just peace, and in order to achieve that it is in Scotland’s interests that we support Ukraine and its people’s right to freedom, democr...