UK, France deny Russian intelligence claim they are aiming to arm Ukraine with nuclear weapons

The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) on Tuesday (25 February) accused the United Kingdom and France of actively working to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. The allegations were swiftly rejected by both London and Paris.

In a statement, the SVR claimed that the UK and France believe Kyiv would be able to secure more favourable terms in ending the conflict with Moscow if it possessed atomic weapons.

“It is believed that Ukraine needs to be supplied with a ‘wonder weapon.’ Kyiv will be able to claim more favourable terms for ending hostilities if it possesses an atomic bomb, or at least a so-called ‘dirty’ bomb,” the statement said.

The Russian intelligence agency alleged that the UK and France are currently addressing issues related to supplying such weapons and their delivery systems. It claimed discussions include the possible covert transfer of European components, equipment and technologies to Kyiv.

“One option being considered is the French compact TN75 warhead for the M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missile,” the SVR said.

The service further alleged that Britain and France are aware such plans would constitute a “gross violation” of international law, particularly the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and could undermine the global non-proliferation regime.

According to the SVR, Western governments would seek to present any emergence of nuclear weapons capability in Ukraine as the result of domestic development rather than external assistance.

The statement accused London and Paris of having “lost sense of reality” and warned that “everything secret inevitably becomes apparent,” suggesting there are officials within both countries who understand the risks involved.

Germany, the SVR added, had “wisely refused to participate in this dangerous adventure.”

Following the intelligence agency’s claims, Russia’s upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council, called on lawmakers in the UK and France, as well as international organisations, to investigate.

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France and UK deny claims

Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, called the claims “an outright lie,” adding, “He says that we have lost touch with reality. It is he who has lost touch with reality.”

He described the accusations as “another piece of disinformation from the Russian Federation and a clear attempt to deflect attention” from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“I can categorically assure members of this council that the United Kingdom remains fully committed to its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We are not providing, and would not provide, nuclear weapons or related capabilities to Ukraine,” Doughty affirmed.

Jerome Bonnafont, France’s United Nations envoy, echoed the UK response, describing the claims as “a gross violation and an attempt at disinformation.”

“They constitute a lie, pure and simple, devoid of any factual basis. France is a responsible party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We will never violate its contours nor its obligations,” he said.

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Russia France United Kingdom nuclear weapons SVR Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Global Security