Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2025
I am pleased to speak tonight and to lend my voice, in support and solidarity, to the defiant people of Ukraine. I thank Colin Beattie for securing the debate and for all the work that he has done in establishing the cross-party group on Ukraine, of which I am a deputy convener. That has been a great innovation in this Parliament, allowing all parties to come together and to stand in solidarity with the consul and with representatives of the Ukrainian community in Scotland. I think that we are doing valuable work, and I hope that the Ukrainian community feels that value. I am grateful to Colin Beattie for his leadership on that.
No discussion of events—not only in the past three years but since the annexation of Crimea in 2014—can be had unless we recognise that Russia is the aggressor and that Ukraine is the victim. That is not a dispute between two equals; it is a war of aggression and of Putin’s imperialism. We have heard that plain and simple fact resolutely from members across the chamber. In that context, it is right to echo the sentiments that have been expressed by the Prime Minister and by colleagues from all parties and Governments in the past three years. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes. I also express my gratitude to all those who have welcomed Ukrainians into their homes and communities.
In the many debates that we have had in support of Ukraine, I have reflected the efforts across Renfrewshire, which Neil Bibby referenced, and East Renfrewshire—in particular, those by faith communities and groups that have come together to set up a welcome hub for people from Ukraine. That has been vitally important, and long may it continue.
I will focus this evening, as many colleagues have done, on the events of the past week. The latest developments on Ukraine demonstrate that we face a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our country and our continent. Global instability, Russian aggression in Ukraine, increasing threats from malign actors, climate change and rapid technological disruption have all contributed to a rapidly deteriorating security landscape. It is clear that we must protect Ukrainian sovereignty as we seek to resolve the reality with which Ukrainian people have lived for three years and longer. In that context, it is right that the UK steps forward as a leading partner to ensure our continental and global security.
In working with Ukraine to come to what we hope might be a just and lasting peace, there can be no getting away from the volatile shifts in the halls of diplomatic power. As things change rapidly, it can be all too tempting to react to every piece of news by taking to social media, or expect a running commentary from the many Government representatives and diplomats who are involved in difficult and intense negotiations. However, it has been refreshing and reassuring to see the United Kingdom Government, led by the efforts of Keir Starmer, reject that approach, roll up its sleeves and take the lead in serious diplomatic efforts to pull together our allies. Diplomacy often requires conversations and statements that are deeply uncomfortable—there is no getting away from that—and there will be many more of those to come in the days, weeks and months ahead.