ESCALATION in the war in Ukraine risks bringing nuclear “carnage” to Scotland, anti-bomb activists have warned.
Anti-nuclear campaigners have said there will be “no victory” for either side if war between nuclear powers breaks out.
The stark warning comes ahead of an event organised by the SNP’s CND group which will discuss the threat of nuclear war posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Bill Ramsay, the convenor of SNP CND, said: “For the first time in decades the threat of nuclear war has become an issue in mainstream public discourse. It’s understandable that the criminal dimensions, and there are several of them, of the invasion is in the forefront.
“However, there is also the need to stress that the potential, through nuclear escalation, witting or otherwise, could bring this carnage to much further afield including Scotland.”
The event will also discuss the dangers of imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Critics point out this would likely be policed by Nato. If Nato troops shot down a Russian plane, this would be an act of war and Vladimir Putin’s forces would be expected to retaliate.
Nicola Sturgeon said last month a no-fly zone should not be ruled out and that the possibility “must be considered on a daily basis”.
Ramsay added: “Some call for upping the pressure even further in response to Russian aggression. All recognise such an escalatory strategy is not risk free. It’s important that we be clear headed about what these additional risks might lead to.”
The “criminality and carnage” being perpetrated by Kremlin troops was an “important” factor in risking escalation and nuclear warfare, said Ramsay.
Speakers will discuss the possibility and detail of a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Ramsay added: “Sooner or later, and sadly in the 21st century it is later, wars end.
“We in the Scottish peace movement feel it is necessary to unpack some of the details of what a solution based approach might look like.
“After all, reality tells us that the Russian Federation and the USA each have thousands of nuclear weapons so there will be no victory for anyone in what appears to be starting to morph into a proxy war between them”.
Speakers will include National columnist and former MP George Kerevan and Bill Kidd, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Anniesland Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Nuclear Disarmament in the Scottish Parliament.
The event is being held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on Saturday, April 30 and tickets cost between £3-£6. You can find out more here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ukraine-and-the-nuclear-threat-tickets-311306505137
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