The SNP’s Westminster chief has said the Ukraine crisis would postpone another independence referendum in Scotland. It came as the polls have shown a growth of support for an independence referendum among Scots. Europe is in danger and needs stronger transatlantic ties to deter the Russian threat.
Scotland Is Loyal to Democratic Values
The world has reacted to the Ukraine crisis, and Scotland is no different. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recently ruled out any connection between Scottish independence and the Ukraine crisis. The leader of the Scottish National Party has said that the campaign would continue regardless of the war in Ukraine. However, the SNP’s president Mike Russel has indirectly likened a possible Ukraine under Russia to Scotland inside the UK. He has mentioned that people can choose their governments, and the world should respect the democratic mandate.
The SNP leader has responded to him and referred to fundamental democratic values that reinforced the independence movement. She called on all to respect commitment to democracy and the rule of international law. Sturgeon has argued that Ukraine is fighting for those values and calls on everyone to stay united right now.
SNP Would Delay Independence Referendum
The SNP’s Westminster chief, Ian Blackford, has said the party could delay an independence referendum due to the Ukraine crisis. He has mentioned that they have to be respectful of their responsibilities. However, Blackford added that they have to be mindful of where they are at the moment. He has said that an independent Scotland would seek to be a member of NATO alongside the Western world. Some weeks ago, Sturgeon stated that preparatory works for the independence referendum in Scotland were underway. She has said the SNP will decide on a date for the bill in the coming weeks. Her comments came after a poll found that 55 per cent of Scots want a second independence referendum. Not long since her announcement, the Ukraine crisis has begun and put Europe’s security under threat.
The West Has Common Concerns over Russia
The Ukraine crisis will have real consequences in Europe and across the world. This war will result in a severe socioeconomic problem in Europe and is a high-risk gamble for Russia. The continent needs to move towards more unity and solidarity to stand against the war challenges. The European countries have already prepared for the crisis and are determined to defeat the Russian government.
The Western powers are concerned about their security architecture, which has united them. In the face of the Ukraine crisis, the United States and its allies in Europe have grown stronger. Brexit Britain, plus the US and Canada, have joined the European Union to demonstrate transatlantic unity. This transatlantic union of Western countries has provided defensive aid to Ukraine. These countries have imposed severe sanctions against the Russian government to force Russia to retreat from Ukraine.
Ukraine Crisis Makes the Europeans Closer
The Ukraine crisis will impact Scotland as a nation of the United Kingdom and a part of Europe. Russia’s aggression is in the heart of Europe has put their security under threat, so their unity matters a lot. European nations have supported crippling sanctions on the Russian economy and backed the Ukrainian government militarily. The war has brought the UK closer to the EU-27, so they have approached agreements to form a common front. Although Britain is no longer a member of the European Union, it has come together with fellow NATO members. The transatlantic union will defend the peace that the alliance was created to protect. European countries and the US have worked together to compensate Russia’s gas. They send equipment and money to Ukraine and freeze Russian foreign assets to press Moscow.
Ukrainian Crisis Halted Plans for Indyref2
Scotland has decided to be united with the rest of the Western countries and halted arguments on the independence referendum. Before the Ukraine crisis, the SNP and Greens have announced plans for the indyref2 were underway. They were going to reveal details about the second Scottish independence referendum in a few months. After the SNP’s historic win at the Holyrood election, the party has permanently talked about holding a second independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon has argued that holding a referendum was the country’s will. Soon, the SNP has made a cooperation deal with the Scottish Greens, another pro-independence party. The agreement created a majority of nationalists in the Scottish Parliament who robustly supported independence. But lately, a prominent MP of the SNP has said the party’s focus is on Ukraine for the moment.
Russia Would not Stop in Ukraine.
In 2021, the polls showed a surge in support for Scottish independence. The start of the Covid-19 pandemic in January 2020 and the withdrawal from the EU have helped that increase. Support for another independence referendum has increased in all groups, which surged above the 2014 independence referendum. Although Scottish independence is an essential issue for the Scots, conditions have rapidly changed in the last two weeks.
Now, the whole of Europe is under threat, and the Ukraine crisis could shatter the peace in the continent. Liza Truss, the UK Foreign Secretary, has reiterated a security situation in Europe. She said the UK’s defensive and economic support protected the eastern flank. Baltic countries on the east border have urged Western allies to defend them against any Russian attack. They believe that Russia would not stop in Ukraine and threaten the ex-Soviet nations.
Conclusion
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has committed itself to giving the Scots a choice on their independence. The 2014 Scottish independence referendum did not disappoint the Scottish nationalists. Therefore, after the Brexit vote in 2016, the idea of being independent has sparked again. The SNP has planned to hold another independence referendum after the covid crisis. Nevertheless, everything has changed quickly in Europe throughout recent weeks due to the Russian attack in Ukraine.
The Ukraine crisis has strengthened the transatlantic union but has weakened nationalistic ambitions. Europe feels the Russian threats now and prefers to form a united front. But Scottish independence is about identity, and the SNP should not halt the process because of the ongoing international issues. The Scottish government should continue its democratic endeavours to respect the country’s will.
