Scottish Greens urge Downing Street to cancel Donald Trump state visit
In the aftermath of a tense meeting at the White House, Patrick Harvie is calling for the visit to be rethought
Last updated 1st Mar 2025
The Scottish Greens are calling on Dowing Street to cancel a planned state visit by US President Donald Trump, after an acrimonious meeting at the White House with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Prime Minister handed passed on the “unprecedented” invitation from the King during his visit to Washington on Thursday.
Hopes for a peace deal in Ukraine were shattered just 24hrs later, during a tense televised meeting in the Oval Office.
In the aftermath, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie urged Sir Keir Starmer to rethink the invitation.
"It is time for it to be withdrawn"
He said: “The invitation for a state visit should never have been made in the first place, and it is time for it to be withdrawn," he said.
"It must be obvious how much danger there is in it, both for Starmer's government and for the country.
"All democratic leaders need to stand up to Trump and the toxic, hateful and authoritarian politics that he represents."
His calls are being echoed by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who he is not sure President Trump "deserves" the invite.
"How much danger there is"
The Aberdeen South MP said: "Not only has he called Zelenskyy a dictator, not only has he said he started the war, not only has he mocked Ukraine and mocked Zelenskyy relentlessly, both he and his Vice President have now tried to actively bully him on live television in the Oval Office.
"That's not good enough".
He added: "Keir Starmer wants to roll out the red carpet, well you know what, he needs to get off his knees and decide what it is he stands for, and decide what it is he believes in."
A Number 10 spokesperson said on Friday: "The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelenskyy.
“He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.
"That's not good enough"
“The Prime Minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday, including President Zelenskyy.”
In front of the media, the US President, Vice President JD Vance frequently interrupted and spoke over Mr Zelenskyy in raised voices.
"You're gambling with millions of people ... You're gambling with World War Three," Mr Trump said.
Discussions became strained over Mr Trump's handling of peace talks.
Mr Vance also accused the Ukrainian president of being "disrespectful" and claimed Mr Zelensky had not been thankful for US military support.
Plans for an agreement, which would have given the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for support, were left unsigned after the diplomatic visit was cut short.
Mr Harvie said Mr Zelensky carried himself with "self-respect and integrity" during the exchange.
"Donald Trump hasn't changed"
"Only 24 hours ago Keir Starmer was fawning over Donald Trump and telling us how close their relationship was, but surely even he must see from the scenes this evening what a profound danger that friendship represents," he said.
Earlier this week, the Greens said the Republican president did not deserve a warm welcome in Scotland, and would likely be met with protests if he ventured
"Donald Trump hasn't changed," Mr Harvie said.
"He is the same dangerous bully that he was yesterday, and he's only going to get worse. It is wrong for Starmer and so many others to pretend otherwise."
"He's only going to get worse"
Mr Trump last visited Scotland in 2023, attending a ceremony to break ground on a second golf course at the Menie Estate near Aberdeen.
The family also owns Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
Mr Harvie has clashed with the Trump family in the past, with the president's son Eric once calling the Green a "national embarrassment".
The planned state visit could see the US leader visiting either Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, or Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
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