FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has met with a Ukrainian MP visiting Scotland to discuss the Russian invasion and Scotland's support for the country.
The FM hosted Kira Rudik, leader of the Liberal Voice party, who met with Ukrainian refugees who had come to the country on Monday.
It comes as Scotland's match against Ukraine is set to go ahead at Hampden on Wednesday night, with both politicians noting that the singing of the country's national anthem will be "emotional" for both sides.
Sturgeon tweeted: "First Minister @NicolaSturgeon met with Member of Ukrainian Parliament @ua_parliament and leader of the Golos party @KiraInCongress on her visit to Scotland today.
"They discussed Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and Scotland’s support for the country and its people."
Ahead of the meeting with the First Minister, Rudik said support from Scottish teachers to pupils who fled the war in Ukraine has been “priceless”.
🏴🇺🇦 First Minister @NicolaSturgeon met with Member of Ukrainian Parliament @ua_parliament and leader of the Golos party @KiraInCongress on her visit to Scotland today. They discussed Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and Scotland’s support for the country and its people. pic.twitter.com/GmxNtzHl6j
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) June 1, 2022
Rudik also praised the UK for its support of Ukrainian refugees and for supplying military aid to the country.
She said: "On behalf of them and on behalf of the Ukrainian people, I would like to extend my gratitude for all the love and support that we have got here.
“It has been incredible how people who never knew Ukraine are supporting us with all their capabilities and capacities and it’s been extremely (heart-warming).”
The meeting marks the First Minister's first public appearance since recovering from Covid-19, and ahead of the World Cup qualifying match between the two nations tonight at Hampden Stadium.
Members of the Tartan Army are reportedly expected to show solidarity with Ukraine by singing their national anthem “Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy”.
The FM said that Scots will stand with Ukraine no "matter how strongly" they are cheering for their own team.
She said: “I'll be there tonight supporting Scotland. I want Scotland to win. I want Scotland to go to the World Cup. I think it will be a really emotional occasion.
"I think a bit of everyone’s heart tonight, no matter how strongly we will be supporting Scotland will be with Ukraine.
%image('13839300', type="article-full", alt="SNP MP Stewart McDonald with Kira Rudik at Holyrood. ")
"If Scotland doesn’t qualify for the World Cup and Ukraine does qualify, I’ll be supporting Ukraine at the World Cup.”
The SNP leader added that she thought “the singing of the national anthem will be an emotional moment for everybody at Hampden this evening”.
Rudik said she would not be attending the match but that the anthem will be the most "emotional and supportive piece of the game".
She added: “That reminds me of when the war started and we as parliamentarians gathered in the Ukrainian Parliament just two hours after the war started.
“And we were having our first sitting and we were singing the national anthem there just to support each other and just not to be so scared.
“So, I do believe that today there will be this bonding and a support of unimaginable protection and solidarity that we are receiving from Scottish people for which I am extremely grateful from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all Ukrainians.”
