Scotland’s First Minister has joined Ukraine’s President, foreign leaders, and those displaced by the war in marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the “absolute heroism” of the country on Monday as leaders from Europe and Canada visited Ukraine’s capital to show their support.
“Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!” Zelensky wrote on X.
“I thank everyone who defends and supports it. Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal.”
In Scotland, a ceremony marked the anniversary at the Scottish National War Memorial, with members of the Ukrainian community and figures from all political parties in attendance.
Speaking to STV News, First Minister John Swinney said: “This has been an incredibly poignant service.
“We have come together as a country, all political parties, community leaders, and the Ukrainian community to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine to reaffirm our commitment to the independence and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
STV News“I’ve witnessed many overwhelming moments in my political life but hearing the Ukrainian national anthem sung within the beauty of our Scottish National War memorial has been one of the most incredibly moving moments of my life.
“We’ve had tremendous international solidarity for three years in the recognition of an illegal invasion. I’m troubled by what has happened in the last ten days or so because I think we’ve seen uncertainty added to the debate about the future of Ukraine, where there should be no uncertainty.
“It should be absolutely crystal clear that an illegal invasion has taken place here and needs to be repelled.
“If we want to make sure that doesn’t happen to anybody else, it’s got to be repelled and repelled now.
“Many, many have sacrificed so much in the Ukrainian conflict, and they have made those sacrifices to ensure the future of Ukraine is assured. That peace has got to be a peace that brings security, independence and freedom and democracy to the people of Ukraine.”
STV NewsScotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said the UK Government would be with the people of Ukraine for “as long as it takes”.
“Our commitment to the people of Ukraine is iron-clad”, she told STV News.
“This an existential moment for European security and global security. The Prime Minister will be impressing that upon the US President to try and make sure we can be an honest broker between Europe and the US to make sure the people of Ukraine remain at the heart of all discussions.
“There needs to be a negotiated settlement, but crucially, the interests and needs of the Ukrainians need to be at the heart of that.”
The anniversary comes as the country faces pressure from the US to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine in favour of a proposal that does not mention Moscow’s invasion.
Ukraine refused to pull its draft resolution, and the UN General Assembly will vote on it on Monday.
The 193-nation General Assembly is then expected to vote on the US draft resolution.
Tensions have flared between the US, Ukraine and European countries in the five weeks since US President Donald Trump took office and has opened talks with Russia after years of isolation in a bid to end the war.
European leaders were dismayed that they and Ukraine were left out of preliminary negotiations between the US and Russia last week.
Julia Btushkina has been living in Scotland since fleeing her home country in September 2022.
She described Monday’s ceremony as “really emotional” and difficult to fathom that the war is still ongoing.
“We, as Ukrainians, really appreciate Scotland’s support”, she told STV News.
STV News“We need peace because all Ukrainians, even if they are in a safe place, are damaged emotionally and physically. It affects everything in their lives. Even if it looks like it, we are not fine at all.
“A couple of months ago, I noticed that news about Ukraine was becoming less. I tell my friends it’s still bombing and still a very difficult situation.”
STV NewsEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among the visitors greeted at the train station by Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and the president’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak.
In a post on X, Ms von der Leyen wrote that Europe was in Kyiv “because Ukraine is in Europe”.
“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she wrote.
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