Elected members have placed their solidarity with Ukraine on record as all parties called for Russia to cease its attacks on the nation at the latest Renfrewshire full council meeting.
The Ukrainian flag is now being flown outside Renfrewshire House in Paisley, Renfrew Town Hall and in Houstoun Square in Johnstone after councillors agreed to show their full support to the country's people.
But the chamber went further than just hoisting the colours as everyone rallied behind a motion by Lisa-Marie Hughes and Derek Bibby which condemned the war and urged governments to continue sanctioning Russia.
The motion also called on the UK Government to lift visa requirements for all Ukrainians wanting to enter the country and asked officers to investigate how the council could help international aid groups and charities in collecting public donations.
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The agreed motion reads: "Renfrewshire Council records its concern regarding the grave threat to the safety and security of Ukrainian citizens, believes the suffering caused to communities across Ukraine by the Russian military invasion cannot be ignored and expresses its full support to and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
"Council supports calls for the Federation of Russia to cease its attack, to leave the national territory of Ukraine, and to respect all international treaties and fundamental principles of international law.
"Council acknowledges the response to date of the international community in applying sanctions against the Russian regime and calls on governments to redouble such efforts to discourage Russia from further aggression and further supports calls on the UK Government to lift visa requirements without further prevarication for all Ukrainians seeking to enter the UK as other countries have done.
"Council stands ready to assist in all appropriate ways with humanitarian support and refuge to the people of Ukraine.
"Council requests the chief executive to write to the Consulate of Ukraine in Scotland to express our solidarity.
"Council requests the chief executive to write to the council general of the Russian Federation in Scotland, conveying the council’s condemnation of the actions of the Russian government.
"Additionally Council instructs officers to urgently investigate what steps Council can take to assist UK-based international aid groups and charities in the collection of public donations in regards to personal goods, medical and relief supplies in order to assist the Ukrainian people in their time of need."
Councillors also agreed to make a donation of £20,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to support its fundraising campaigns for both Ukraine and Afghanistan.
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