VLADIMIR Putin will oppose Scottish independence after Brexit and views the SNP as a threat in his fight to destabilise Europe, according to a foreign policy expert.

David Clark, who worked for former Labour Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, said that Mr Putin had cooled on independence due to the Nats forming close links with the EU and Nato.

2 Vladimir Putin will oppose independence, an ex-foreign policy adviser has said Credit: Alamy Live News

The international affairs analyst said Russia believed the union breaking apart would “benefit” their global agenda during the 2014 vote.

He said that the picture is now more “mixed” after Brexit.

Mr Clark told The Times: “In 2014 the clear-cut strategic calculation for Russia was that independence would benefit their agenda of trying to prize apart western institutions and promote the break-up of Western countries.

“Scotland would not only be leaving the UK, but at least initially leaving Nato and the EU with question marks over how quickly they would be able to rejoin.

“After Brexit, the picture is more mixed. Independence would still have implications for UK defence, particularly Trident, but the purpose of independence now would be an act of reintegration to some extent, by rejoining the EU and seeking quick membership of Nato.”

He added: “What swings it is the clear position of the SNP leadership to strengthen the very institutions that Russia wants to try and weaken.”

2 It is claimed Russia believed independence would 'benefit' their agenda in 2014 Credit: Alamy Live News

Mr Clark said the Russian leader was struck by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s strong criticism after the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal.

And he believes the Nats are now in Mr Putin’s sights, due to recent efforts by broadcaster Russia Today to undermine SNP MP Stewart McDonald.

Editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan claimed Mr McDonald was “haunted by the ghost of the Loch Ness Monster” due to his work to highlight Russian propaganda.

In recent years high-profile Scottish politicians such as Alex Salmond, George Galloway and Tommy Sheridan have presented shows on Russia Today and Sputnik.

Last year Mr McDonald claimed anyone appearing on Russia Today was "on the side of the oppressor".

Earlier this month a critic of Vladimir Putin was found with his throat slit in what police called a "politically motivated" assassination in a French hotel.

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Imran Aliev, 44, was found lying on the ground with "multiple wounds" to his chest and a bloodied knife next to his body.

We told how the Russian leader recently said that gay marriage will not be allowed in the country as long as he is in charge.

He insisted that marriage is "between a man and a woman".

Vladimir Putin says as long as he is president in Russia, gay marriage will not be legalised

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