The Scottish Greens are planning to ditch their “blanket” opposition to arms exports after Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Party MSP Ross Greer is behind moves to update their defence policy in a way that would support Ukraine’s right to “shoot down” Russian jets.
As well as being opposed to NATO and nuclear weapons, the Greens, who are junior partners in the Scottish Government, are hostile to the arms trade.
But Russia’s actions in Ukraine have forced the Greens to rethink how to assist countries that have been attacked.
The party will debate its defence policy this month and Greer, tipped as a future leader, has proposed changes.
In an article for the Bright Green website, Greer wrote: “Our current policy is fragmented and does not, for example, clearly explain what our alternative is to NATO membership.
“As things stand, it would also place a blanket ban on supplying military equipment to Ukraine, despite this being a position our members appear to overwhelmingly support (based on internal consultations I’ve carried out in recent months before speaking publicly).”
He continued: “It is an unavoidable reality that there won’t be peace without further Ukrainian military victories. Ukrainian civilians can only be protected from the mass executions, torture and rape too many have already fallen victim to at the hands of Russian forces if their military has the equipment it needs to protect them.
“And yes, the grim reality is that this equipment must include the weapons needed to shoot down Russian jets, to destroy Russian artillery and to drive Russian troops out of the towns they are occupying and brutalising.
“For Ukrainians, this is a defensive war against an illegal invasion of their sovereign state. That is why, despite concerns about the risks attached, we have not opposed the transfer of weapons to Ukraine’s military, who would have lost this war long before now had it not been for these critical supplies.”
His proposed change reads: “Export of military technology including munitions should be strictly limited to the supply of those who have a clear defensive need, such as nations subject to illegal foreign aggression. The protection of innocent life should be the primary concern of the arms export system.”
In another significant shift, Green is proposing that his party shifts position by supporting the European Union’s Common Defence & Security Policy.
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