Western nuclear powers France, Britain and the US have refuted Russia’s claims that Ukraine plans to detonate a nuclear-contaminated bomb on its own territory. The claim of a so-called “dirty bomb” is clearly false, according to a joint statement by the countries’ foreign ministers early Monday morning. “The world would see through any attempt to use this accusation as a pretext for escalation.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said on Twitter on Sunday evening that the Russian allegations were false. He spoke about it with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and promised him continued support from the United States.
According to his ministry, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had previously told European nuclear powers Britain and France that Kiev planned to detonate a radioactive bomb to discredit Moscow. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also received a call from Shoigus.
“Pretext for further escalation”
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said after his phone call with Shoigu that he had denied the allegations and warned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for further escalation. He also emphasized the desire for de-escalation.
According to the Interfax news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Kiev wanted to discredit Moscow by detonating a “dirty bomb”: “The danger is clear.” on the Russian side does not mean that the danger of using a ‘dirty bomb’ has ceased.”
Lavrov wants to call the UN
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wants to refer the matter to the United Nations (UNO). The Russian chief diplomat said there was “concrete information about the institutions in Ukraine that have the technology to build such a dirty bomb”. The Western reaction was to be expected given the unconditional support for Kiev, Lavrov said. In the UN, however, he hopes for a “professional discussion” on the subject.
Conventional explosives that also disperse radioactive material are called “dirty bombs.” Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Russian lies about Ukraine’s alleged plans to use a dirty bomb are as absurd as they are dangerous,” Foreign Minister Kuleba said on Twitter. Ukraine is loyal to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. “The Russians often blame others for what they themselves intend to do,” Kuleba warned in Kiev.
A “dirty bomb” is “not a weapon of mass destruction in the classical sense, but rather a weapon of mass insecurity, where the psychological effect exceeds the radiological effect,” said Colonel Berthold Sandtner, head of the leadership division and researcher at the Institute of Higher Military Studies. by the National Defense Academy of the Federal Ministry of National Defense in Vienna.
France, Britain and the US stated in their letter that they will continue to provide humanitarian aid, economic and security support to Ukraine. “We remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend their territory for as long as necessary.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
