European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Scotland on Saturday before a scheduled meeting with Donald Trump at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire. Her visit to Glasgow included discussions with First Minister John Swinney, focusing on UK-EU relations and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
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Following their meeting, Mr Swinney expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with Ms von der Leyen. He affirmed Scotland’s support for the European Union’s leadership in advocating for safe and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, and in calling for an end to the severe suffering endured by civilians in the region.
The First Minister also reiterated Scotland’s unwavering support for Ukraine. He highlighted the Scottish Government’s desire to collaborate with European partners on a range of shared concerns, notably energy security and broader geopolitical stability.
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Ms von der Leyen, who had announced the trip via social media, noted she had held a “good call” with Mr Trump and planned to meet him on Sunday to discuss how to maintain strong transatlantic trade ties.
