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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Carla Jenkins

Nicola Sturgeon issues Ukraine statement as Glasgow council leader calls for twin city axe

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland will give "unqualified support for Ukrainian sovereignty" as the country is invaded by Russian military this morning.

Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels.

Many city inhabitants were forced to spend the nights in bomb shelters and underground in the cities Metro as an air-raid siren called, in scenes that haven't been seen since World War Two.

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Ms Sturgeon will also lead a motion of "solidarity" for the country at Holyrood this afternoon, where it is expected there will be more calls for further and tougher sanctions.

The statement of the motion will say that "the Parliament offers its unqualified support for Ukrainian sovereignty, democracy, independence and territorial integrity; condemns unreservedly Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty... and expresses its concern at the disturbing reports of Russian forces beginning a further invasion of Ukraine's territory, in flagrant violation of international law".

It will call on the international community to "redouble such efforts [sanctions] to discourage Russia from further aggression" and urges the UK Prime Minister that British sanctions "should go further as soon as possible".

Finally, the statement will assert that "Scotland stands ready to support the Ukrainian community in any way they can".

Ms Sturgeon added on a personal note: "Overnight developments in Ukraine - however anticipated - are appalling and horrific. The Kremlin must face the severest consequences for this unprovoked aggression. And the world must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine."

Her motion comes as Glasgow city council leader Susan Aitken says she has written to the Lord Provost to immediately suspend Glasgow's twin link with Russian city, Rostov-on-Don.

She added: "While this is a small thing in the circumstances Glasgow must join the world in unequivocally condemning the acts of war unleashed on Ukraine by Russia.

"Glasgow must show that we stand in solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine as they defend their national sovereignty and now their lives from unprovoked aggression. We must stand also with the Ukrainian community in Glasgow who will be suffering greatly today."

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