UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – SNP leader John Swinney insists Donald Trump’s UK visit should be conditional on renewed US military aid to Ukraine, citing risks of strengthening Russia.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, warned that allowing the US president a second state visit to Britain would be “unthinkable” unless US military support for Ukraine resumes.
What did John Swinney say about Trump’s UK visit and US aid to Ukraine?
The Scottish leader stated that the King’s invitation to the American president should remain valid only if it serves to strengthen US military support for Ukraine.
Mr Swinney criticized Washington’s move to “pause” military assistance, warning it might risk emboldening Russia, the aggressor,” arguing that Trump’s visit to the UK should not proceed if the aid freeze continues.
While addressing Holyrood, he affirmed that his SNP leadership would align with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in demonstrating support for Ukraine.
The First Minister confirmed his stance against Britain’s Trident nuclear program, even as it is seen as essential for Europe’s security due to Donald Trump’s risks of pulling back military assistance from the continent.
His comments came in response to the US president’s move to suspend military aid to Ukraine on March 3, 2025.
During his address to MSPs, the SNP leader said that if Washington upheld this position, a second state visit for President Trump would be unimaginable.
Mr Swinney rejected demands for the invitation to be revoked under all conditions, insisting that supporting Ukraine requires difficult decisions and commitments, even when they are undesirable.
He stated,
“So, if a state visit could help solidify US support for Ukraine, if that is part of what supporting Ukraine means in practice, then it is a possibility,
adding,
“For that to be true, however, the US would have to sustain the steadfast support of Ukraine, her independence and territorial integrity.”
What did Russell Findlay say about the UK’s nuclear deterrent amid uncertainty over US support?
Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, warned that abandoning the UK’s nuclear deterrent would be a grave mistake, as the future of American military support for Ukraine, the UK, Europe, and NATO remains unclear.
He stated that Ukraine “deeply regrets” surrendering its nuclear weapons decades ago, with senior officials arguing that Russia would not have risked an invasion if the deterrent had been kept.
Mr Findlay criticized senior SNP leaders for their “self-indulgent and counter-productive” remarks, stressing that such statements could “sow division between Western allies, to the delight of the Kremlin.”
His statement came after Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, accused Keir Starmer of “weak” handling of the dispute between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on 28 February 2025.
Raising concerns over Western cohesion, he questioned whether Mr. Swinney truly believed he could “impose vague conditions on the US and expect the King to comply with his demands.”
The Scottish Tory leader added,
“And when it comes to our nuclear deterrent, John Swinney only doubled down on his dangerous and naive position … the SNP’s policy on nuclear weapons is simply not serious for these times.”
In response, Mr Swinney stated,
“I would simply observe to Russell Findlay today that, with all the possession of nuclear weapons, Ukraine has been invaded, and that is the reality of what we are facing. So nuclear weapons have not deterred Russia from invading Ukraine.”
This follows Labour leader’s statement in the House of Commons on Monday, where he criticized the SNP’s push to abolish Trident without wider agreement, describing it as “completely misguided.”
What did Anas Sarwar say about Stephen Flynn’s approach to the crisis?
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar criticized Mr. Flynn, stating that the situation calls for “responsible and measured leadership” instead of “performative Twitter politics.”
Mr Sarwar added,
“It is an issue of war and peace and of life and death, so politicians should not resort to childish attacks on social media for perceived party interests, but instead prioritise peace and the national interest.”
What did the recent survey reveal about Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar’s influence on Scottish voters?
A new poll reveals that Keir Starmer holds more influence on Scottish voters’ electoral choices than Anas Sarwar. The study, commissioned by the advisory firm BIG Partnership and conducted by Opinion Matters, highlights a potential challenge for Labour’s Holyrood campaign, as Westminster politics could heavily influence its direction.