Even though the Brexit referendum was about the European Union, the negative result has new scenarios on the agenda. The poll in the United Kingdom shows that England wants to leave the Union while other member Scotland wants to stay. Scotland may pursue an independent path to remain in Union but it has to declare independence. In that case, Scotland will not be a member of NATO either.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed that an independent Scotland would have to leave the alliance.  “If it happens, then the UK will continue as a member of NATO but a new independent state has to apply for membership and then it is up to 28 allies to decide whether we have a new member,” Stoltenberg said.

All decisions in NATO are taken by consensus, so we need the agreement of all allies.

It is understood that many believe Scotland would likely face the issue of having its entry challenged by Spain, which is cautious of encouraging break-away states due to the independence movement in its Catalonia region. However, in light of Spain’s recent statements regarding their acceptance of Scotland’s entry to the European Union, this is unlikely to be the case.