Mr. Angus Robertson:

-----that has emerged from some discussions we have had with the Ukrainian community in Scotland? We have a long-standing community in Scotland. How do we ensure our towns, cities and regions feel a direct connection with Ukraine? We have the fortune in the city that I represent, our capital Edinburgh, to be twinned with Kyiv. What is it that we can do more through our formal twinning processes?

I do not know if this is the Irish experience, but in Scotland, twinning is not what it was when it was set up after the Second World War with French and German twin towns, in particular. Part of the conversations I was having with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities was about thinking about partnership arrangements. That would mean that local towns in Scotland, and perhaps in Ireland, might think of having a direct connection with another town, city or region. When that town, city or region emerges from the horror through which they are going at present and, God willing, victorious to boot, we can play a direct role with communities, towns and cities and have a tangible connection with them.

Maybe that can be thought about here as well. In the helplessness we all feel, we want to give and be as supportive as we can, but we have to be aware that this will be a long-running challenge. Having a more structured relationship with Ukraine and all of its parts, especially those that have been ravaged by war, would be worthy of all of our consideration.