Nuclear weapons in Ukraine: the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry commented on media information

This was reported by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, stressing that Ukraine has remained and remains a responsible party to the NPT since the signing of the treaty in 1994, when the country voluntarily gave up one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals.

In response to the reports of the German Bild newspaper, which cited unnamed sources, the Foreign Ministry stressed that Ukraine had never planned to develop weapons of mass destruction and that such statements were considered "insinuations". The ministry also said that Russia should abandon irresponsible threats in the nuclear sphere and recalled that the occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant posed a threat to the nuclear safety not only of Ukraine, but also of the whole of Europe. In this regard, Ukraine calls on the international community to increase pressure on Moscow to prevent possible strikes on Ukraine's nuclear power facilities.

Ukraine continues to adhere to the provisions of the NPT despite Russia's ongoing aggression. The country also expresses confidence that international security largely depends on the fulfilment of obligations by all NPT parties. The Ministry called for united efforts of the international community to ensure security in the nuclear sphere, in particular, the fulfilment of the first paragraph of the Formula for Peace, entitled "radiation and nuclear safety".

This official position followed statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on security assurances for Ukraine. In the interview, he emphasised that the country seeks NATO membership as the main guarantor of its security. Zelensky also revealed details of a conversation with former US President Donald Trump, noting that Ukraine could be protected by either Alliance guarantees or nuclear deterrence if the threat from Russia persists beyond the current war.

The Office of the President called the information in the mass media "complete nonsense" and pointed out that such statements are very often "spread" by Russian propagandists.