John Swinney has said Scottish boots could be on the ground in Ukraine before the end of this year in a “peacekeeping” role if the war comes to an end.
The first minister responded to the explosive argument between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Friday.
The SNP leader, MSP for Perthshire North, told the BBC he was “deeply troubled” by the current situation and warned: “The storm clouds are gathering ferociously above us.”
Asked if Scottish troops could end up on Ukrainian soil, he said: “I think there is the possibility of some form of peacekeeping role, that that might be the case.
“I’ve said that the prime minister should bring such proposals to the House of Commons, and the House of Commons should consider those proposals.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Washington on Thursday and gave Mr Trump the invitation of a state visit.
But the Labour leader has faced calls to axe the offer after the US president’s remarkable row with Mr Zelenskyy.
Dundee-born SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said the prime minister should “get back up off his knees” and revoke the invitation.
Sir Keir responded by saying: “I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or others trying to ramp up the rhetoric.”
What does Mr Swinney think?
“I cannot see how a state visit can go ahead for President Trump to the UK if President Trump is not a steadfast ally of ours in protecting the future of Ukraine,” he told the BBC.
But he added that a “cool and rational” approach is required for the diplomatic crisis and welcomed the role being played by the prime minister.
Mr Swinney added: “Securing the future of Ukraine is vital to securing the peace for western Europe that we’ve cherished all of my life, and I want to see that maintained in the future.”
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry SNP MP Stephen Gethins and Fife Labour MP Graeme Downie recently visited Ukraine.
They spent the night in a bomb shelter while in Kyiv.
Mr Gethins said: “Scotland should play a full role in any properly authorised and supported peacekeeping operation in Ukraine as part of that wider European effort.”
Mr Downie, who represents Dunfermline and Dollar, said: “The prime minister has made clear that the UK will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
There are several key military bases across Tayside and Fife.
Leuchars Station was transferred from the RAF to the army in 2015.
Last month we reported soliders from the site were being deployed in Romania to protect Europe from Russia.
Meanwhile, RM Condor is a large Royal Marines base located near Arbroath.
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