East Lothian councillors united to condemn the Russian attacks on Ukraine as they pledged to support refugees and called for an end to the invasion.
A virtual meeting of full council today saw unanimous support given to a motion from the Labour administration calling for action.
Council leader Norman Hampshire described the scenes unfolding in Ukraine as "horrific".
He said: "This is an attack on a country with a democratically-elected government.
"The violence we are seeing is horrific, mothers with their children along with older people desperately doing everything they can to find somewhere to be safe.
"The people who are staying behind to protect their country are extremely brave and we must do all we can to support them and their families."
The motion requested the chief executive and Provost to contact the Russian ambassador in the UK on behalf of the council and people of East Lothian asking he requests his Government to withdraw troops from Ukraine immediately.
It also called on them to write to the Ukranian Ambassador in the UK, expressing the council’s support and solidarity, and respect for his nation’s sovereignty and freedom.
And it also asked for them both to write to the Prime Minister of the UK, asking that all efforts are made to welcome refugees coming from Ukraine to the UK without the need for a visa, and "advise of our willingness to help in any way we can as a county to settle individuals and families whose lives have so sadly and suddenly been affected by the military action in Ukraine."
Councillors from all parties supported the motion unanimously.
SNP group leader Stuart Currie said the county had a strong tradition of welcoming refugees who found themselves caught up in war in their own country.
He said: "We welcome people because we all know that there but for the grace of God it could happen to any of us."
