The Scottish Tory leader warned that Ms Sturgeon’s plans for another independence referendum would have a similar impact, with a Bill expected to be tabled at Holyrood shortly.
“Bringing forward another divisive independence referendum right now would play into Vladimir Putin’s hands,” he said.
“We must continue to work together across the United Kingdom to end the atrocities occurring in Ukraine. It would only boost Russia if the SNP-Green coalition pressed ahead with a destabilising vote to break up the country now.”
Following the world-leading Covid vaccine rollout, Mr Ross argued that the Ukraine war was “another clear example that we are safer and stronger by remaining part of the United Kingdom”.
He contrasted this with the First Minister’s “reckless” calls for Nato to consider implementing a no-fly zone despite warnings it could trigger a “Third World War”, while also demanding that the UK unilaterally scrap the Trident nuclear deterrent.
Arguing that this exposed her “complete lack of knowledge and experience on foreign affairs”, Mr Ross said: “We are fortunate to have the UK Government leading the efforts against Russia, and not the shameless political opportunists in the Scottish Government.”
Mr Ross and Krystle, his wife, are discussing whether they should apply to house refugees under Westminster’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, but he admitted: “It’s not straightforward with a three-year-old and a nine-month-old.”
Breaking down the ‘yellow wall’
Although he acknowledged that “people are still angry about ‘partygate’”, he also insisted that Scots would still vote for his party in May’s local elections “to stop the SNP and deliver on their local priorities.”
He said that the Scottish Tories could challenge the “very strong” SNP everywhere, arguing his party has been only 300 votes behind in local by-elections.
“The yellow wall may be sturdy, but it’s not unbreakable,” he concluded.
Ms Sturgeon on Wednesday insisted that other “experts” had backed her no-fly zone suggestion. Her spokesman added: “Suggesting that Putin’s aggression means the democratic process here should be suspended would be grist to the Kremlin’s mill.”
