The Foreign Office will be asked to expel Russian diplomatic staff from Edinburgh after the city council agreed to tell the Russian Ambassador his Consulate is no longer welcome.
Edinburgh City councillors have unanimously agreed to take action against the Russian State as long as the war against Ukraine continues.
At a virtual meeting earlier today members supported a call from deputy council leader Cammy Day to make it clear to the Consulate that it was not welcome while the war continued.
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They also agreed to put up to £100,000 towards helping co-ordinate local humanitarian aid efforts and additionally look at what additional support could be offered through providing workers or equipment to the effort.
And they agreed to bar Russian State funded performers and arts events from council-owned venues while encouraging private venues to follow its lead.
At the same meeting councillors agreed to award the Freedom of the City to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko in recognition of their leadership and heroism in the face of the invasion of their country.
Earlier in the meeting councillors heard an emotional statement from Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, chairperson of Edinburgh Ukrainian Club, who praised the two men 's bravery as they left respective roles in sport and comedy to enter politics.
She said: "Both stepped from their careers into politics. Little did they know they would become the first European war time leaders since World War Two.
"Both leaders, in the face of an unjust war, stayed steadfast by their offices in Kyiv and we look forward to welcoming both gentleman to Edinburgh in the future."
Earlier Hannah moved members with accounts of how some of her club members were coping with family members in Ukraine.
She said one member asked her family if there was anything they needed.She said: "They simply replied 'Aunty Linda, ask them to close the skies and not leave us here to die'."
Asked what people could do to support the effort in Ukraine Hannah urged everyone to stand together saying boycotting even the simplest Russian things could make a difference if "everyone did a little".
And she said Ukraine needs help not just now but in the future as it rebuilds.
She said: "In 1945 the world showed it could rise from the ashes of WW2, it is important to show the world can rise again."
Lord Provost Frank Ross thanked Hannah for her "powerful and emotional deputation".
Among the actions agreed by councillors was that it agreed "to write to the Russian Ambassador, advising that the Russian Consul is no longer welcome in our city and write to the UK Foreign Office to request the expulsion of Russian
diplomatic staff from the City of Edinburgh until Russian troops vacate Ukraine."
An addition to the motion proposed by the Conservative group added: "Council makes clear that this city is not an enemy of the Russian people, just this war and recognises the courageous people of conscience across the Russian population who have expressed opposition to this war and the territorial policies of Russia's ruler."
Lothian Pensions Fund will also be written to by the council leader asking it to investigate any divestment of holdings which support the Russian economy.
