A Scottish National Party politician, Stephen Gethins, has called on the UK to cancel President Donald Trump’s planned state visit following a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The tense interaction at the Oval Office on Friday drew international attention.
Gethins, a serving Member of Parliament, condemned Trump’s behavior as “bullying” and emphasized that the UK should reconsider the state visit if Trump continues to display hostility towards Zelensky.
Speaking to BBC News, Gethins described the incident as “a bigger country ganging up on a small country struggling for survival.”
Gethins, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson, also noted that the UK’s isolated position necessitates strengthening ties with European partners and allies.
He questioned how a state visit could proceed given Trump’s treatment of Ukraine, a key ally.
“Given that treatment of one of our allies in Ukraine, I do not see how a state visit could possibly go ahead” Gethins added.
Zelensky met with UK Prime minister keir Starmer in London after his departure from Washington, D.C.