The leader of Edinburgh City Council has called for "meaningful sanctions" to be imposed on Russia for its "unwanted, unwarranted" invasion of Ukraine, which has seen a full-scale attack launched on Edinburgh's twin city of Kyiv.
Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine by air, land and sea early on Thursday (February 24).
Missile attacks all across the country followed soon after, with explosions reported around the cities of Odessa, Mariupol, Kharkiv and the capital Kyiv, which Edinburgh is twinned with.
For weeks there has been speculation Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing for an invasion, leading to unsuccessful attempts by several western countries to resolve issues diplomatically.
Speaking today, Mr Putin said his plan was to “demilitarise and de-Nazify” Ukraine.
As councillors met to approve the city's annual spending on Thursday (February 24), Council Leader Adam McVey, SNP, called the invasion an "unwanted, unwarranted act of Russian violence".
He said: "Can I start by expressing my deep sympathies with the people of Ukraine this morning.
"I absolutely stand in solidarity with all Ukrainian people, in particular those in our twin city of Kyiv, and very much hope that the international community progress meaningful sanctions against the Russian regime for their actions. "
Councillor Andrew Johnston added: "I want to associate myself with Councillor McVey's initial remarks about Ukraine and what is happening there is absolutely dreadful."
But the Conservative member slammed the council leader for using "hyperbole" language in his criticism of the UK Government, which he said would have been more appropriate to describe the current situation in Ukraine.
"Councillor McVey then went on to use this sort of language when he talked about the UK Government," Cllr Johnston said. "He talked about a 'horrific attack' on the people of the UK by the UK Government. A horrific attack is what's happening in Ukraine and language of that magnitude and that hyperbole does no service to Councillor McVey or to this council and he should reflect on that."
