The Scottish Greens have called for the cancellation of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK following his contentious meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The US President’s bitter encounter with Mr Zelensky at the White House saw him abruptly cancel a planned joint press conference and dismiss his counterpart.
Trump’s outburst towards Mr Zelensky in front of reporters was unexpected, as it was hoped they would sign an agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral wealth and discuss a peace deal with Russia. Following these tense scenes, Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Greens, has urged Keir Starmer to reconsider plans for Trump’s state visit to the UK.
The Prime Minister extended this “unprecedented” invitation to Trump during his visit to the White House. Harvie stated: “The invitation for a state visit should never have been made in the first place, and it is time for it to be withdrawn. 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.”
During Friday’s media event, Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Mr Zelensky frequently interrupted each other, speaking in raised voices. “You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three,” Mr Trump warned. Tensions rose during discussions about Mr Trump’s approach to peace talks, reports The Mirror.
Furthermore, Mr Vance labelled the Ukrainian president “disrespectful” and suggested that Mr Zelensky was unappreciative of the US military backing. A potential deal, granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in return for assistance, remained unsigned after the visit abruptly ended.
Mr Harvie spoke out, commending Mr Zelensky’s conduct as full of “self-respect and integrity”. He remarked: “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.”
Earlier in the week, the Greens expressed discontent towards President Trump’s reception in Scotland, indicating the likelihood of protests if he decided to visit. Mr Harvie asserted: “Donald Trump hasn’t changed. 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.”
On his last trip to Scotland in 2023, Trump marked the beginning of a new golf course at the Menie Estate near Aberdeen—a tribute to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod—and it’s slated to open this summer.
The Aberdeenshire project caused a stir from the outset, inciting local outrage over the plans and Donald Trump’s vehement objection to an offshore wind farm that could be seen from the estate. The Trump family’s portfolio also includes Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
Patrick Harvie, of the Green Party, has previously butted heads with the Trumps, with President Trump’s son Eric branding him a “national embarrassment”.
