A councillor has written to the leader of Oxfordshire County Council calling for the council to speak out on the situation in Ukraine.

County councillor and shadow cabinet member for highways management Liam Walker shared on Twitter a letter he has addressed to leader of the council Liz Leffman.

Mr Walker, who represents Hanborough and Minster Lovell, said in the letter he is “disappointed” the council has “fallen completely silent” on Russia’s invasion of the country.

READ MORE: Oxford City Council defend link to Russian twin town Perm

In recent days, Russia has escalated its attack on the Eastern European country with major assaults on key cities. UK businesses, councils and organisations have condemned the attacks sought to cut their ties with Russia.

Mr Walker asserted “Oxfordshire stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for freedom and sovereignty of their country against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression”.

He said: “The devasting scenes we are seeing taking place in Ukraine have rightly shocked the world. It has now been just over week since Putin’s armed forces began their horrific attacks on the people of Ukraine.

“Despite the best efforts of Ukrainians, the Russian forces are advancing leaving a trail of destruction already forcing just over a million people to leave their country with many fleeing over the border of Poland.

“The UK Government is leading the way with supporting the Ukrainian government and the people of Ukraine by announcing just this week its largest ever aid match contribution to support Ukrainians who have had to flee their homes. The UK Government will match the first £20 million donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. This is in addition to the £220 million aid package the UK has already committed to support the Ukrainian people.

“I am therefore disappointed that in a week where the world has shown solidarity for the people of Ukraine, Oxfordshire County Council has fallen completely silent. As a council people look to us as community leaders and whilst councils across the country have not only condemned the attacks from Putin but they have shown clear leadership with statements of support for the people of Ukraine.

“I therefor ask you as leader of Oxfordshire County Council to release a statement on behalf of the council, the councillors, and the staff condemning these attacks and outline how the county council will support Ukrainians living in Oxfordshire and how the council will help to coordinate the collection of aid to support refugees.

Oxfordshire stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for the freedom and sovereignty of their country against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression.”

Cllr Leffman previously told the Mail on Feb 24 that she was appalled by the invasion.

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council Liz Leffman told the Oxford Mail: "I was appalled to hear this morning that Russia had opened up an attack on several fronts in Ukraine.

"Ukraine is a sovereign European country, and this violation of their territory by the Russian state is an outrage.

"My thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, whose peaceful lives have been shattered by this news."

Oxfordshire County Council has a webpage which details on support for Ukraine and how Oxfordshire residents can help the country: oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/support-ukraine. 

This article has been updated to include a statement Cllr Leffman provided to the Mail previously to clarify the council leader’s position.

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