Announcing his invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin warned that anyone who attempts to stand in Russia\u2019s way would suffer \u201csuch consequences that you have never encountered in your history\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just days later, the President ordered his military to put Russia\u2019s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert. Rising fears of a World War 3 \u2013 one that threatens to feature the use of nuclear weapons \u2013 has pushed many world leaders into doubling down on the need to show off their deterrence capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was quick to respond to Putin that \u201cthe Atlantic alliance [NATO] is a nuclear alliance\u201d. For Ian Blackford, however, the rise in global tensions appears only to have reconfirmed his commitment to removing Trident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SNP Westminster leader said his position had not changed because he doesn\u2019t believe Trident deters escalation in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cThe idea that having nuclear weapons provides a deterrence that removes that threat is far-fetched, to say the least.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Blackford added even a Scotland outside the UK would continue to rely on world organisations with nuclear capabilities, including NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe SNP Scottish Government is very clear that an independent Scotland, among other things, would seek to be a member of NATO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe would be alongside our friends or partners in the Western world, and we would want to make sure that we’re taking our responsibilities for defence and security just as any other independent country does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Announcing his invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin warned that anyone who attempts to stand in Russia\u2019s way would suffer \u201csuch consequences that you have never encountered in your history\u201d. Just … <\/p>\n