Russia says ‘real danger’ of Ukraine acquiring nuclear weapons required response

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By Emma Farge

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  • Summary
  • Ukraine accuses Russia of “war crimes” at U.N. session
  • Kyiv seeks meeting on Russian aggression, WMD
  • Diplomats boycott Lavrov speeches at U.N. forums

GENEVA, March 1 (Reuters) – Russia’s foreign minister told a Geneva disarmament meeting on Tuesday that Ukraine has been seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a “real danger” that needed a Russian response.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday in what it called a special operation to demilitarise and “denazify” the country – a justification dismissed by Kyiv and the West as propaganda. read more

“Today the dangers that (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy’s regime pose for neighbouring countries and international security in general have increased substantially after the authorities set up in Kyiv have embarked upon dangerous games related to plans to acquire their own nuclear weapons,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Conference on Disarmament in a video address.Report ad

“Ukraine still has Soviet nuclear technologies and the means of delivery of such weapons. We cannot fail to respond to this real danger,” he said, also calling for Washington to rebase its nuclear weapons from Europe.

He delivered the speech to a thin crowd after many diplomats including France and Britain staged a walk-out to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as they did at a parallel U.N. meeting in Geneva on Tuesday. read more

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the Conference on Disarmament, in Geneva
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad attend a news conference in Moscow
Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the Conference on Disarmament, in Geneva

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Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a news conference following talks with Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Moscow, Russia February 21, 2022. Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

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They stood in a circle outside the meeting for the duration of Lavrov’s speech, holding a Ukrainian flag. Lavrov was supposed to attend the session in person but the visit was cancelled, with Russia accusing unidentified EU states of blocking his flight path.Report ad

Earlier, a minute of silence was held for the victims of fighting in Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has enlivened the deadlocked arms negotiating forum that has failed to reach a deal in decades despite holding over 1,600 plenary meetings.

At the same meeting, Ukraine’s foreign minister accused Russia of war crimes through its shelling of his country and the ambassador called for a special meeting to address Russian aggression and weapons of mass destruction. read moreReport ad

A copy of the request seen by Reuters said the meeting would address the “the use of conventional weapons against the civilian population as well as nuclear and other WMD threats” and called for concrete and specific actions.

It said the request was supported by “numerous other” members of the 65-member body, without naming them. Russia’s delegate objected to the meeting.

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