Success for Greens' campaign against Glasgow-based Russian gas exporter
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer has welcomed the UK Government's decision to ban British companies from supporting the export of Russian gas.
This follows a long running campaign by the Green MSP, Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand and the Ukrainian community in Scotland against Glasgow-based Seapeak Maritime Limited, which operated almost half of all ships used to export liquified natural gas from Russia's Siberia region.
Ukrainians in Scotland and their supporters have repeatedly organised protests outside Seapeak's Glasgow offices, and in March of this year Ross wrote to UK Ministers urging them to take action against the company for the key role it plays in supporting Putin's war economy.
Reacting to the decision of the UK and other European governments to take further action against companies like Seapeak, Ross said:
"Scotland stands with our friends and allies in Ukraine. Seapeak's continued support for the Russian economy was a stain on our country's proud record, which is why we have campaigned relentlessly for this action. I know this long overdue decision by the Government will be celebrated in Kyiv tonight.
"Putin's brutal invasion has cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainians and forced many more to flee their homes. With intense global sanctions against Russia in other sectors, these gas exports have been key to bankrolling Moscow's operations. Today's decision will heap even more pressure on Russia to end the war and respect Ukraine's independence."