The SNP has called for an unshakable commitment from international leaders to protect Ukraine’s borders as fresh diplomatic talks loom.
Following high-level discussions in Washington, there is growing anticipation of a three-way negotiation involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
But with former President Trump previously suggesting so-called ‘land swaps’ as a solution to the war, concern is mounting that Ukraine’s sovereignty could be used as a bargaining chip.
Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lead alongside his European counterparts and ensure Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains non-negotiable.
“Democratic Europe must remain united and steadfast in its support for Ukraine at this critical moment for its people and their country’s future,” said Gethins.
“That means supporting the international rules-based system and ensuring there is a concrete commitment to protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”
His message comes at a moment of quiet but pivotal diplomatic movement.
Any suggestion of appeasing Russian demands with territorial concessions, he warns, would set a deeply dangerous precedent.
“Given President Trump’s previous statements about ‘land swaps’, the responsibility to protect Ukraine’s borders will largely fall on Keir Starmer and other European leaders,” Gethins said.
“They must stand united in ensuring that Russia is not rewarded and that Ukrainian sovereignty is not up for sale.”
The statement comes with a wider call to remember that peace should never be built on injustice.
“Amidst the necessary and delicate diplomatic steps towards peace, none of us must forget that Russia is the aggressor in this conflict and continues to target civilians indiscriminately,” Gethins said.
“They must be held to account for their actions.”
His warning is rooted in historical experience, where rewarding aggression has often fuelled deeper instability.
“History tells us that rewarding aggression means storing up even greater problems for the future,” he added.
“A sustainable peace means Putin and his cronies being held to account for their crimes.
“It also means Europeans learning the lesson that we must take our own, collective security much more seriously.”
As the prospect of a fragile ceasefire or long-term peace edges closer, Gethins emphasised that Ukraine’s future cannot be traded for a short-term solution.
“Not alone is the future of Ukraine at stake in the coming weeks,” he said.
“The future of Europe may well be too.”
“By standing steadfast behind Ukraine, we can send a powerful signal to any aggressor that Europe will hold by the principle that we will always stand by and protect each other.”
It is a line in the sand, drawn not just in defence of a nation, but in defence of the shared values that hold democratic nations together.
