COUNCILLORS across all parties will support a motion condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and offer to welcome any Ukranian refugees displaced by the conflict.

It will also pledge solidarity with Bradford's Ukranian community, which at around 5,000 people is the second largest in the UK.

At a meeting of Bradford Council later this month, a motion backed by all parties will be proposed.

Motions are regularly presented at full Council meetings, but usually become party political issues, and often lead to heated debate.

When the Council meets on March 15, a rare cross party motion will be put forward.

Proposed by Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe (Lab) and seconded by Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservative Group on Bradford Council, the motion reads: "This Council condemns the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Putin.

"Bradford District stands together with our residents of Ukrainian heritage and will support them in their hour of need.

"We have approximately 5,000 residents with Ukrainian heritage in our district. They are understandably fearing for the lives of their loved ones in the country. The district has demonstrated solidarity with the Ukrainian community by:

• Lighting up civic buildings in the colours of Ukraine

• Bradford City fans showing their support for Ukraine at their match on February 26

• Bradford Cathedral organising a multi faith service at the Cathedral on March 2

• The Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities team speaking with the Bradford Ukrainian community organisation to hear their voice and to offer support

• At the launch of the ‘From Bosnia to Bradford’ films that were premiered at the National Media Museum in early March similarities between the conflicts were discussed and support and solidarity for Ukraine was expressed by speakers and the audience in attendance. The films feature stories about the survivors of the Balkans conflict who fled in the early 1990s and settled in the Bradford District.

We remember:

• That this is an act of aggression by Putin, not by residents with Russian heritage living and working in this district.

• We must support all our residents here to live peaceful lives without fear or anxiety.

• We are a City of Sanctuary which prides itself on welcoming communities from all over the world. We will warmly welcome Ukrainians to our district as part of any national refugee effort.

We urge:

• Peace. We are a city of Peace, with a renowned Peace Studies department at the University and a Peace Museum which we have all benefited from being located here.

• Residents to come together - we come together at difficult times and support each other when the burden can seem heavy.

• People to support the Ukrainian communities across West Yorkshire who are mobilising in support of Ukraine by donating to a fund which they have set up to provide critical support for Ukraine at this time.

• The Government to do everything possible to support the Ukrainian people who are being displaced from their homeland including welcoming them to this country.

The Council meets at 4am on March 15.