LONDON (Sputnik), Anastasia Levchenko — Scotland and Russia should develop stronger ties, particularly in trade and cooperation in the Arctic region, former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has told Sputnik.
"Scotland has always had strong cultural ties with Russia. There are certain political impediments at the moment to developing closer relationships. One priority beneficial to both will be the expansion of trade as and when conditions allow," Gordon Wilson said.
Wilson, who led the SNP from 1979 to 1990, underscored Scotland's interest in the High North geopolitical zone.
The Scottish government outlined key interests in the Arctic and High North in its policy document nearly a year ahead of Scotland's independence referendum that was held unsuccessfully in September 2014.
Russia, meanwhile, is pursuing its interests in the Arctic via the 2014-2020 military doctrine, installing a new Arctic Command, four new Arctic brigades, 11 airfields and expanding its icebreaker fleet.
Last month, Russia's Northern Fleet held snap military exercises with 76,000 personnel, 65 warships, 15 submarines and over 10,000 combat and support vehicles.
