The United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine have issued a sharp rebuttal of Kremlin claims, categorically rejecting Vladimir Putin’s accusations that the West is planning to secretly transfer nuclear weapons to Kyiv. European politicians believe these fabrications are created solely to distract the global community.
Nuclear weapons and SVR statements: The essence of the Kremlin’s accusations
The information storm began after the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) released a statement claiming that London and Paris were allegedly preparing a secret transfer of components and technology for a submarine-launched ballistic missile with a thermonuclear warhead. This rhetoric was later amplified by statements from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, who did not rule out Ukraine creating a “dirty bomb.”
At the same time, Russian officials provided no factual evidence for their claims. Experts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) promptly issued a warning that Russia may be intentionally escalating nuclear rhetoric to blackmail the West, disrupt peace negotiations, and reduce support for Ukraine ahead of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
An absurd fake: Why nuclear weapons will not be transferred to Kyiv
The response from the accused parties was immediate and based on international law and facts. The Kremlin’s attempt to accuse Western allies of violating the nuclear non-proliferation regime met a united front of resistance.
The United Kingdom’s Position
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Kremlin’s statements completely baseless. Downing Street emphasized: “There is not a shred of truth in this. It is a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract from his atrocious actions in Ukraine.”
France’s Position
Paris, like London, is an official nuclear power under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. French diplomats called the accusations a baseless escalation, emphasizing their commitment to international treaties.
Ukraine’s Position
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi called Moscow’s statements “absurd.” He noted: “Russian officials, known for their impressive track record of lying, are once again trying to fabricate the old nonsense about a dirty bomb.” Kyiv reaffirmed its non-nuclear status and its commitment to defending the country using conventional methods.
During a press conference with the Prime Minister of Norway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia begins looking for “nuclear weapons” in Ukraine precisely when it faces failures on the front, despite the fact that no such weapons exist in the country. In his view, such assertions are an element of political pressure and preparation for international and trilateral negotiations.
