Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2025
We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. As in all conflicts, it is ordinary people who bear the brunt of brutality—dead family and dead friends; no medicine, food, water or electricity; loss of homes; and living in constant fear and danger.
The Geneva conventions require parties in a conflict to
“distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives.”
Attacks on civilian objects are forbidden, but some civilian-owned infrastructure can be military objectives. Needless to say, the daily pictures and videos from Ukraine clearly bear out that those basic tenets are being broken continually and without a shred of concern.
It is essential that support remains consistent at the international level. That includes financial support, medicine and munitions. Ukrainians are giving up their lives, and the west must continue to provide that material support if they are to have any chance of survival.
We all know that we live in a different world today from the one that we lived in before 20 January this year. We now live in a world where America cannot be trusted to uphold treaties, and where the President of the United States is embracing Vladimir Putin, a ruthless dictator and the traditional and historical enemy of American democracy and free markets, and throwing Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the elected leader of a democratic allied nation, under the bus. The US President rewrote history in his own mind to make Russia a victim and to deny what Russia has done, and is doing, in Ukraine. I, too, think that the invitation for a state visit must be rescinded. Donald Trump and his politics are not welcome in Scotland.
I do not think that any of us yet know what kind of world we are living in and what kind of future we will have, but difficult times can bring out the best in people. This is Europe’s moment to step up—its chance to become stronger and to renew its commitment to a common economic future, to democracy and to co-operation between nations.
I am glad that the UK is participating in that project. Although I remain deeply sad that we are no longer a full member of the European Union, I would like to think that finding common cause in the defence of Ukraine may start us on the journey of finding our way back. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, we and Ukraine may both be members of the EU.
My sincere thanks go to everyone in Scotland who made space in their homes for Ukrainian refugees, and my sincere welcome goes to everyone who has come to Scotland to escape war and persecution. I thank colleague for their contributions to the debate, and I associate myself with all their words of solidarity. It is so important that we come together with one voice in the Parliament to call out Russia’s aggression and reaffirm our support for Ukraine, and I thank everyone for doing so tonight.
Support for Ukraine is wide and deep. Not since the end of the cold war have Europe’s values been tested as they are being tested now. In the face of Russia’s aggression, however, we are resolute. Today, members in the chamber speak with one voice—for peace, for security and for a Europe, and a world, bound by the values of decency, democracy and human rights.
Scotland stands with Ukraine. We stood by Ukraine at the beginning of the war, and we stand by Ukraine now.
17:36