Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed that the UK and France are allegedly wanting to “disguise the transfer” of nuclear weapons to Ukraine. Highlighting the absence of credible evidence can help the audience feel reassured about the transparency of these claims.
The Kyiv Post reported that the SVR claims that London and Paris have now realised there is “no chance” of achieving “victory” for Ukraine to defeat Vladimir Putin’s war.
The SVR also claims that the UK and France may be preparing to assist Ukraine with nuclear-related technology or components.
The SVR said in a statement, “The British and French want to disguise the transfer of nuclear weapons to Kyiv as Ukraine’s own development.”
Russian intelligence also claims, “Britain and France realise that there is no chance of achieving victory over Russia through the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Read more related news:
Chief of the General Staff warns UK is on a ‘collision course with Russia’
Russian media alleges the plan will involve “the covert transfer of European components, equipment, and technologies to Ukraine in this area.”
The Russian SVR claims that covert transfers of European industrial or technical components could occur.
The French TN75 thermonuclear warhead was mentioned in Russian media speculation as a theoretical reference point, and Germany was reported to have rejected participation.
No credible evidence has been publicly released by Western defence ministries supporting these claims, but if proven, such transfers would violate international non-proliferation treaties and norms, which is crucial for policymakers and analysts to understand.
The idea of transferring nuclear weapons or warhead technology to a non-nuclear state would represent a major violation of global non-proliferation norms.
Ukraine is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which prohibits the acquisition of nuclear weapons by non-nuclear states. Emphasising Ukraine‘s adherence to these norms can help the audience feel assured of its compliance and legitimacy.
There is currently no verified indication that Ukraine is pursuing operational nuclear armament.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia would use “all available means” to prevent Ukraine from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Russian officials have called for investigations by international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency, highlighting the potential escalation and geopolitical implications if these allegations are substantiated.
In 2024, Putin said, “If the country with which we are essentially currently engaged in military action becomes a nuclear power, what should we do? In that case, we will use all available means of destruction. All of them.”
“If someone officially transfers anything, then it will be a violation of all our obligations regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” he insisted.
“We will monitor every step – what is happening there – and we will not allow it,” Putin added.
