France has labelled unfounded Russian allegations that Ukraine is seeking nuclear weapons or a dirty bomb with the help of London or Paris, calling it the latest example of Russian disinformation.
“This unfounded SVR allegation was picked up by various Russian propaganda publications on X and some foreign news agencies,” French Defence Ministry spokeswoman Olivia Penichou said, quoted by Reuters.
She said Russia often resorts to disinformation to “foster a climate of distrust in the actions France and its partners are taking in support of Ukraine. This latest attempt is a perfect illustration of that.”
Penicheux added that Paris has always adhered to its international commitments, particularly those related to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
France’s Foreign Ministry said earlier this week that it did not consider itself worthy of responding to such blatant disinformation.
The day before, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Russian intelligence statements that France and the UK were allegedly working on providing Ukraine with a nuclear bomb, as well as the means of its delivery, called it a blatant violation of international law.
According to the Russian SVR, having such weapons, Kiev, according to Britain and France, will allegedly be able to claim “more favourable conditions for the end of hostilities”. We are talking about the covert transfer of European components, equipment and technologies in this sphere to Kiev. According to Russian intelligence, the French small-size combat “part TN75 from the submarine-launched ballistic missile M51. 1”. At the same time, the Russian SVR maintains that “Berlin prudently refused” to take part in this “dangerous adventure”.
London said Russia’s claim that Ukraine was seeking nuclear weapons with the help of Britain and France was unfounded.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) say Russia is using the SVR statement as an excuse to threaten Britain and France with potential nuclear strikes, likely to derail ongoing discussions about Western security assurances for Ukraine.
Global nuclear weapons trafficking is governed by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. France or the UK have never declared an intention to provide Ukraine with any elements of such weapons or in any other way violate international law.
Ukraine has also never officially declared its intention to obtain nuclear weapons again, although it has repeatedly pointed out that the guarantor countries of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum have failed to fulfil their obligations under the treaty.
Ukraine renounced nuclear weapons after signing the Budapest Memorandum in December 1994. The document provided for assurances (assurances) of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for the renunciation of nuclear weapons. The document was signed by Russia, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.