PA MediaThe Scottish Greens have said Downing Street should cancel US President Donald Trump’s impending UK state visit in the wake of his acrimonious meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with the “unprecedented” invitation during his visit to the White House on Thursday.
But less than 24 hours later, the US president shattered hopes for a Ukrainian peace deal involving America during a tense televised blowout between Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump in the Oval Office.
In the wake of the tense scenes, Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie called on Sir Keir to rethink the invitation.
“The invitation for a state visit should never have been made in the first place, and it is time for it to be withdrawn,” he said.
“It must be obvious how much danger there is in it, both for Starmer’s government and for the country.
“All democratic leaders need to stand up to Trump and the toxic, hateful and authoritarian politics that he represents.”
In front of the media, the US President, vice president JD Vance and Mr Zelensky frequently interrupted and spoke over each other in raised voices.
“You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three,” Mr Trump said.
Discussions became strained over Mr Trump’s handling of peace talks. Mr Vance also accused the Ukrainian president of being “disrespectful” and claimed Mr Zelensky had not been thankful for US military support.
Plans for an agreement, which would have given the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for support, were left unsigned after the diplomatic visit was cut short.
Mr Harvie said Mr Zelensky carried himself with “self-respect and integrity” during the exchange.
“Only 24 hours ago Keir Starmer was fawning over Donald Trump and telling us how close their relationship was, but surely even he must see from the scenes this evening what a profound danger that friendship represents,” he said.
Earlier this week, the Greens said the Republican president did not deserve a warm welcome in Scotland, and would likely be met with protests if he ventured
“Donald Trump hasn’t changed,” Mr Harvie said.
“He is the same dangerous bully that he was yesterday, and he’s only going to get worse. It is wrong for Starmer and so many others to pretend otherwise.”
Mr Trump last visited Scotland in 2023, attending a ceremony to break ground on a second golf course at the Menie Estate near Aberdeen.
The course is dedicated to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, and is expected to open this summer.
The Aberdeenshire development proved controversial when it was first announced, with locals up in arms about the proposals, as well as Mr Trump’s opposition to an offshore windfarm visible from the property.
The family also owns Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
Mr Harvie has clashed with the Trump family in the past, with the president’s son Eric once calling the Green a “national embarrassment”.
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