Nicola Sturgeon: 'Scotland stands in solidarity with people of Ukraine'

Nicola Sturgeon has underlined Scotland’s solidarity with Ukraine in a letter to the country’s president Volodymyr Zelensky on the nation’s independence day.

The First Minister told Zelensky that Scotland stands with Ukraine for “democracy, human rights and the rule of law”.

And she said that Scotland had been “honoured” to offer safety to Ukrainians forced to flee the country after the invasion of Russia.

Ukraine’s independence day comes six months after Vladimir Putin’s forces first launched their assault of the nation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled to Kyiv and met with Zelensky on Wednesday, where he insisted that the West must “stay the course” on Ukraine despite rising living costs driven by the war.

In her letter to the Ukrainian president, Sturgeon pledged that Scotland “stands willing” to provide refugees from the country a sanctuary for as long as it is needed.

“To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, I offer Scotland’s continued solidarity with Ukraine and our admiration for your people’s bravery in the face of an unjust, unprovoked and illegal invasion,” said Sturgeon.

“Scotland stands with Ukraine for democracy, human rights and the rule of law at home and abroad.

“Peoples and nations across the world support Ukraine and condemn Putin’s war crimes and Scotland has joined them in taking action to isolate and penalise his regime while doing our utmost to support the people of Ukraine.”

The First Minister outlined Scotland’s solidarity and support for Ukraine and its independence.

She continued: “Scotland has become a place of refuge and sanctuary for displaced people from Ukraine, and we have done all we can to get help to those fleeing their country to escape the violence brought on by Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

“Scotland has been honoured to offer safety to Ukrainians who have had to leave their homes in what is tragically the largest displacement of people in Europe since World War II.

“We recognise that displaced people from Ukraine will want to return to their homeland when it is safe to do so, but Scotland stands willing to provide them with sanctuary for as long as they need.”

Sturgeon added: “On your Independence Day, and always, Scotland stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and your continued efforts to uphold that independence.”