Councillors sign-up to solidarity motion
Two Strathearn councillors are backing a motion pledging support for the people of Ukraine.
Independent elected member Rhona Brock and SNP counterpart Stewart Donaldson have both signed the document set to be tabled at a full meeting of Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday next week.
It will call on the local authority to support Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian government and its people in the wake of the invasion by Russia.
Cllr Brock stated “It matters that we can demonstrate to all Ukrainian citizens living in Perth and Kinross that we deplore the Russian invasion of their homeland.
“The attack by Russia on a free and democratic nation is totally wrong, unlawful and inhumane.
“The council itself only has limited opportunities to support the Ukrainian people, but I consider it is essential we do all within our power.”
Cllr Donaldson said: “For sanctions to be effective they must isolate Russia culturally as well economically.
“And it is here I am certain that councils the length and breadth of our land have a crucial role to play in showing the regime in Moscow that it must change course.
“At a time such as this we cannot maintain any kind of civic ties.
“In saying that we recognise that, along with the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people, many within Russia itself have been brave, and risked their personal safety, to oppose what Vladimir Putin is attempting.
“The motion we support calls first for a suspension of the twinning of Perth and Pskov in Russia.
“We are calling on the Provost [Dennis Melloy] to write to the local authorities in Pskov to inform them, and that this will apply until Russia ends its attack and withdraws from Ukraine.
“Equally, we are calling on our council leader [Murray Lyle] to let the Russian Ambassador and, in particular, the Russian Consul General in Scotland know that we will not accept any formal invitations from them, and that we utterly condemn the actions of their masters.
“We also feel it is essential that Perth and Kinross welcomes refugees from Ukraine. We need to work with government agencies to provide full support for refugees on their arrival.”
Cllr Brock added: “Along with severing ties with Pskov, and welcoming those who have had to flee Ukraine, we should also seek to adopt a Ukrainian city where we can focus our local support efforts. That is with a view to a long-term hope that we can twin with them after the conflict is over.
“Moreover, the Ukrainian flag should fly from the council chambers to show the people of Perth and Kinross are united with the people of Ukraine.
“If other councils in Scotland and the rest of the UK take a similar approach, then it is by measures such as these that both of us believe that we can make a clear statement to Russia that, for so long as it occupies Ukraine, it is not an acceptable part of the international community.”