THE illegal invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance of “independent countries cooperating in supranational organisations such as the EU”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Writing in The New Statesman magazine, the First Minister appeared to suggest that Vladimir Putin’s war had shown the need to push ahead with the independence debate and for Scotland to play a greater role on the world stage.
She wrote: “The Kremlin’s senseless invasion, a standing threat to the values embodied by liberal democracies everywhere, has also underscored the need for democratic nations to pursue our domestic politics with as much passion and vigour as ever.
“This is a time to stand up for, and demonstrate, the power of vital, robust democracies.”
READ MORE: Ex-Foreign Office adviser dismisses 'desperate' claim Putin would welcome indyref2
Sturgeon further made clear that an independent Scotland under her leadership would seek to “take its place as a member state in its own right of both the European Union and Nato”.
This echoes the view put forward by David Clarke, the former special adviser at the Foreign Office, that “in the context of Brexit, Scotland’s best contribution can be made as an independent member state of the EU and Nato”.
In what could be read as a veiled reference to claims that indyref2 would be “exactly” what the Russian regime wants to see, Sturgeon added: “Liberal democracy is anathema to Putin and his regime.”
She said that Russian aggression made it “even more important” to engage in political debate “within and among” democracies.
“We must assert – and, more importantly, we must show – that strong national-democratic institutions are crucial building blocks of prosperity and fairness,” she said.
Turning to the domestic politics she mentioned, the First Minister said: “There is a limit to what we can accomplish while so many powers lie beyond our control. That is why we are determined to achieve independence for Scotland by offering the choice of a better, fairer future.”
The SNP leader highlighted the 2021 Holyrood election which saw a “democratic mandate” for indyref2 with “a record number of pro-independence MSPs”.
The First Minister also addressed other key topics in her piece for the magazine.
Brexit:
Sturgeon said that the war in Ukraine had “cast new light on the realities of Brexit”.
She specifically said that the “particular challenges” posed to Scotland and the UK after leaving the world’s largest single market had been laid bare, and that the importance of international cooperation had been reinforced.
The First Minister said the “ugly truth” is that, despite the Conservatives’ rhetoric, the UK is one of the most unequal countries in western Europe.
She said that “deep-rooted issues of poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity that have been allowed to fester for far too long”, adding: “Such problems have in many ways come to define early 21st-century Britain.”
Sturgeon argued that Scottish independence would not only benefit those living north of the Border, but would also have a “positive, transformative effect” on the rest of the UK.
Rejecting any notion that independence would lessen “bonds of family, friendship and culture”, the First Minister went on: “An independent Scotland, moreover, will be a reliable and dedicated international partner – which is ever more relevant in today’s world.
“As well as being the closest friend to the other nations of these islands – an independent Scotland will always be part of the British Isles.”
“Our European partners know, now more than ever, that they can depend on an independent Scotland as a beacon of peace and democracy.”
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Ignore Westminster. Here's why nuclear won't work for Scotland
Net Zero:
The First Minister also said the war had highlighted the “urgency of a safe, just transition to a renewables-led future”.
Sturgeon said the war had “shattered … long-held assumptions underpinning our political, economic and energy security”.
“Putin’s invasion has only strengthened the imperative for the world to move beyond the age of dependence on fossil fuels,” she added.
The statement is in contrast to the line taken by the UK Government, which is pushing for more nuclear power stations and for further drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.
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