Ukrainians in Scotland hope $61bn US aid package will help 'turn the tide' in war against Russia

Ukrainians living in Scotland have said they hope news the US has announced a new military aid package will help “turn the tide” in the war against Russia.

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved a $61bn aid package which could prove to be a lifeline for Ukraine’s military – which is running low on munitions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had warned that his country would lose the war without US funding, said he was grateful for the decision by American politicians.

“We appreciate every sign of support for our country and its independence, people and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble,” he wrote on social media site X, formerly Twitter.

“America has demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war. Exactly this type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations,” he said.

A memorial bench has been unveiled in Glasgow for those affected by the conflict. STV News

The news of the aid package was welcomed in Glasgow on Sunday, as members of the Scottish Ukrainian community gathered in Victoria Park to unveil a new bench dedicated to all those affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Dr Yevgen Gorash, from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said: “Previous few months it was quite sad watching what happened on the frontline, however the news from yesterday means that we still have resources, we still have resources to fight and have resources to win the war.”

Ukrainians gathered in the park to sing songs to mark the occasion, which comes more than two years after the conflict began.

One woman told STV News: “I came to Scotland two years ago with my son and we were one of the first who came to Scotland as Ukrainians. Now more than eight million Ukrainians are now across all of the world, so for us this bench is supporting that we are not alone, that Ukraine is not alone.”