Official Report 280KB pdf
::Before we move to First Minister’s question time, I invite the First Minister to make some remarks to mark the fourth anniversary of the war against Ukraine.
12:02
::Scotland stands for democracy, human rights and the rule of law here, at home, and around the world. That is why this Government will always resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. Tuesday marked the war’s fourth anniversary, and my thoughts go out to everyone from Ukraine who is involved in the conflict and in support of Ukrainians everywhere during this difficult time.
Since the war began, more than 29,000 Ukrainian people have arrived in the United Kingdom, sponsored either by an individual in Scotland or by the Scottish Government. More than 21,000 of those came through our supersponsor scheme. Many have started to rebuild their lives here and are making valuable contributions to our communities.
I continue to call for a properly constituted international peace plan that respects Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and one that is agreed by Ukraine and restores peace in Europe. Until that time comes, I say to our Ukrainian friends that they have our support for as long as they need it, that Scotland remains their sanctuary and that, if they wish, Scotland remains their home. Slava Ukraini. [Applause.]
12:03
::Four years of war—it is impossible for us to imagine. Four years of fear, misery and death. Four years of civilians listening for the sound of drones overhead, ordinary Ukrainians being trapped in a state of horror and hundreds of thousands of ordinary men being sent to the front, never to return home. There are so many statistics, but the cruellest of all is that more than 700 children have been killed.
This is a war between good and evil, and a war of freedom, decency and democracy against the dark forces of tyranny. For four years, the British people and their military have stood with the people of Ukraine, and our support must remain resolute.
I pray that Putin’s war will not reach a fifth bloody anniversary and that, when it ends—as end it must—he will pay the price for his crimes. [Applause.]
12:04
::It is four years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I remember when we first spoke in Parliament, just days after the invasion began, and I believe that, in our hearts, we all hoped that it would end positively for the people of Ukraine within months. However, that tragedy has now continued for four years. Countless lives have been lost and the people of Ukraine are living in absolute horror.
It is clear where the blame lies: with the despotic regime in Russia and with the war criminal Vladimir Putin. I cannot wait for the day when he is put in front of the court in The Hague and made to pay for his horrendous war crimes.
Yesterday, I had the honour of speaking with the consul general of Ukraine and passing on my thoughts and love, not only for his family but for all Ukrainian families, be they here, in Scotland, or back in their homes in Ukraine. I made a commitment—one that I know is shared by everyone in the chamber—that we will always stand by the people of Ukraine, that they have our resolute support, and that we will not rest until they can live in the democracy, peace, justice and freedom that they deserve. [Applause.]
12:06
::Today, we recognise four years of Ukrainians’ brave resistance of Russia’s illegal and immoral aggression. Putin’s war has caused immense suffering and displacement, leaving tens of thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—dead, with civilians paying a heavy price.
From the very beginning, this Parliament and the people of Scotland have stood in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. Families all over our country have opened their hearts and doors, welcoming Ukrainians into their homes and communities. I am hugely proud of the unwavering unity that we have shown and that we must continue to show. Scotland and Europe must continue standing by Ukraine and its people, particularly when the White House is threatening to walk away. [Applause.]
12:06
::Over last year’s Easter recess, Paul Sweeney and I joined the Mighty Convoy charity in delivering seven ambulances overland to armed forces in Ukraine for immediate use on the front line. What struck us both was the proximity, because the front line is just three tanks of diesel away from here.
What also struck us was that the country is trying, and succeeding, to live as normal a life as possible. There is no rationing and the burrito shacks are still offering happy hour. However, we were also given an air‑attack briefing and we saw the graves. The cemeteries around the Greek Orthodox churches of western Ukraine are swollen with the corpses of the glorious defenders. In central Lviv, a garden not unlike Princes Street gardens is given over for use as a war cemetery, where flags of the glorious defenders fly as far as the eye can see. There were three funerals there on the morning of our arrival.
On this fourth anniversary, I am particularly thinking of our student guide, Sasha, who has since been drafted and is now serving on the eastern front, and of Father Taras, whom we met in Yavoriv army base. An army veteran of 10 years, he has never carried a gun but serves on the front line. As we were approaching holy week, I asked him whether the soldiers came to his services. He said, “No. Mostly, they just want me to hear their confessions, because they think they are going to die.”
They are fighting for all of us. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes. [Applause.]
Previous
General Question Time