Nicola Sturgeon wishes Volodymyr Zelenskyy happy birthday and 'continued strength' to Ukraine

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Nicola Sturgeon has wished happy birthday to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and "continued strength" to Ukraine as it battles a Russian invasion.The Ukrainian president shares his big day with Robert Burns and is said to be a fan of the Bard's work.Zelenskyy has won praise from around the world for his leadership during the on-going war in his homeland.Russian troops invaded on February 24 last year but they have met fierce resistance from Ukrainian armed forces.

Sturgeon said on Twitter: "Wishing President Zelensky a happy birthday, and the people of Ukraine continued strength and solidarity".Stewart McDonald, the SNP's former defence spokesman, said: "Today we celebrate Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. "It is also President Zelensky’s birthday, who I understand to be a fan of Burns, as was Ukraine’s national bard, Taras Shevchenko, who knew of his work.

Poetry is just one of the many historic links between Scotland and Ukraine."A comprehensive Ukrainian translation of Burns' works was published in Kyiv in 2010.The publication coincided with the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birthday and was sponsored by the members of the Burns Howff Club, Dumfries, the Friends of Ukraine Scottish Foundation and other generous individuals in Ukraine and Scotland.The book was the result of the combined efforts of Peter Kormylo, past president of Burns Howff Club, Dumfries, and Hanna Dyka, a teacher of English and talented translator from Ukraine.The collection spans nearly 200 years of Ukrainians translating Burns into their native language.To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.