Hansard

I welcome the debate that Colin Beattie has brought to the chamber.

These are troubling times. Three years ago, Putin began his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking its people and its sovereignty. Over the past three years, the Ukrainian people have displayed immense bravery, strength and resilience in the face of a tyrannical aggressor. We can see that resilience from pictures online and on our televisions.

That resilience was also on display at the “Invicta Ukraine”—unbroken Ukraine—event that I attended last week at Glasgow cathedral, where the Ukrainian community in Scotland commemorated three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

When Ukraine was attacked, so too were the values of democracy, freedom and human rights. We must remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine to ensure that those treasured values are upheld. We must also maintain our condemnation of Putin and his unlawful war. I pay tribute to President Zelenskyy for his strong leadership throughout the war and to the people of Ukraine.

I know that that solidarity with the people of Ukraine is felt by members across the Parliament and people across these isles. Yesterday, with Anas Sarwar, I had the privilege of meeting, once again, the consul for Ukraine in Scotland. I reiterate the points that he made last week before the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. He said:

“Ukraine ... needs three powers ... the power of weapons .... economic sanctions and ... diplomacy.”—[Official Report, Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, 27 February 2025; c 2.]

I therefore welcome the fact that the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the British Government have already taken further action on all three of those points and have committed to increase defence spending, as Stephen Kerr said, to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product to secure and strengthen Britain’s national security.

On weapons to Ukraine, a £2.26 billion loan has been given by the UK Government, and a deal worth £1.6 billion has been signed with defence manufacturers to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine. That is being funded through the largest package of economic sanctions on Russia since 2022, with 107 new sanctions announced. Those sanctions will disrupt Russia’s military supplies and financial support.

The Prime Minister has also shown leadership on the international stage, working effectively with our allies in the interests of Ukraine. That diplomacy has involved holding regular and constructive conversations with world leaders to try to reconcile differences and support Ukraine. That is why the Prime Minister hosted a summit in London with 18 leaders from around Europe and from Turkey and Canada. Those efforts by the Prime Minister have embodied the phrase “actions speak louder than words”. Peace will come for the people of Ukraine. However, it is imperative that the United Kingdom plays its role in ensuring that that is a just peace.

Finally, I want to say a word about the Ukrainian refugees who have made our country their home over the past three years. I pay tribute, as Colin Beattie did in opening the debate, to the good people of this country and the many organisations that have been incredibly welcoming to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Ukrainian refugees of all ages have been able to integrate into Scottish society. We must continue to support them and recognise, as Stephen Kerr said, that many of them wish to return to their homeland as soon as possible.

I understand that there are 78 Ukrainian pupils attending Renfrewshire high schools. I welcome the work that Renfrewshire Council is doing to assess how many of those young people are planning to sit Scottish Qualifications Authority exams this year and to support them throughout that process.

Although nothing can undo the horrors that many have had to endure, I hope that the warm and hospitable environment of this country has offered some comfort. As a country, and as a Parliament, we should again unite and resolve to support Ukraine so that it can find a just and lasting peace.