⚡ Russian Foreign Ministry's Statement regarding military aggression of the United States and Israel against Iran

On the morning of February 28, US and Israeli armed forces carried out airstrikes on the territory of Iran.

The scope and character of the military, political, and propaganda preparations that preceded this reckless step, including the deployment of substantial US military forces to the region, leave no doubt that this is a deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in direct violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law.

It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process, ostensibly intended to secure long-term normalisation of the situation around the Islamic Republic of Iran. This comes despite assurances conveyed to the Russian Side indicating that Israel had no interest in entering into military confrontation with Iran.

The international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, must urgently deliver an objective and unbiased assessment of these irresponsible actions, which are aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security in the Middle East.

Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a perilous course that is swiftly pushing the region toward a humanitarian, economic, and potentially even radiological disaster.

The aggressors’ intentions are evident and have been stated openly: to dismantle the constitutional order and remove the leadership of a state they deem undesirable because it has refused to yield to the dictates of force and hegemonic pressure. Responsibility for the impact of this man-made crisis, including the unpredictable chain reaction and the spiral of escalating violence, rests entirely with them.

The grave repercussions of these ill-conceived actions for the global non-proliferation regime, whose cornerstone is the NPT, are being openly disregarded.

Meanwhile, the US-Israeli tandem seeks to cover its actions with a purported concern over preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The bombing of nuclear facilities operating under IAEA safeguards is unacceptable.

Essentially, the motives of Washington and Tel Aviv bear no relation to the objectives of the non-proliferation regime.

Even they cannot but understand that by plunging the Middle East into the abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are effectively prompting countries across the globe – and the Middle East in particular – to pursue ever more grave means of countering emerging threats.

The sustained and systematic nature of the destabilising attacks, carried out by the US administration against the fundamental principles of the international legal order in recent months, raises particular concern. Among the violated principles are non-interference in internal affairs, the renunciation of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

❗️ We call for an immediate return to a political and diplomatic track. Russia, as always, stands ready to assist in advancing peaceful solutions grounded in international law, mutual respect, and a balanced consideration of interests.

⚡⚡Statement by Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing in connection with US and Israeli Strikes against Iran (28 February 2026):

Key takeaways:

▫️The aggression to which Iran has been subjected today has already spurred the escalation in the region and is liable to spill over far beyond the region, especially given that one of the two initiators of this military misadventure is far from being a State of the region.

▫️In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel began launching massive military strikes on the territory of Iran. It was publicly declared that one of the targets of the attack was the country's senior political leadership, as well as civilian nuclear facilities.

❗️In real time we are getting reports from the Iranian authorities about casualties, including among civilians: more than 200 people have died in 24 provinces of the country. We were particularly grieved to learn about the strike targeting a girls' school in Minab, where 85 children are reported to have been killed.

▫️The actions taken by Washington and West Jerusalem are nothing but yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN Member State, in violation of the UN Charter and of the fundamental principles of international law.

☝️Such actions are openly geared towards further meddling in Iran's internal affairs and destroying the State that is “disfavored” by the West.

This reckless move by the United States and Israel has triggered a sharp escalation of the situation throughout the region, affecting Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

▫️The US and Israel’s military operation is a genuine betrayal of diplomacy. Yet again, these countries are bringing to bear military force against Iran at the very height of negotiations – just as they did in June 2025.

▫️Washington has been rigorously building up its military presence in the region for a very long time, which only attests to the fact that the aggression against Iran was plotted in advance.

❗️The actions of the US and Israel risk spiraling into a humanitarian and economic catastrophe. Of particular concern, once again, are the threats to nuclear and radiological safety and security. <...>

▫️Iran has repeatedly stressed its readiness to place the preservation of its status as a non-nuclear-weapon state at the heart of new agreements with the US, provided that Iran's legitimate right as a state party to the NPT to develop peaceful nuclear technologies is respected and upheld.

▫️What was being done today is the latest phase of consistent escalatory moves taken by Western countries against Iran. These moves include the US-Israeli strikes against the country's territory in June 2025 and the open interference of the US and its allies in Iran's domestic political situation this past January. <...>

☝️ What immediately comes to mind are obvious parallels with the events of 2003, when US representatives were trying to justify the US invasion of Iraq by waving a vial with some powder in this very chamber, alleging that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, which no one ever found.

▫️In the statements of our European colleagues, we do not hear words of condemnation for the aggression, nor do we hear about the deaths of many Iranian civilians. <...>

The hypocrisy of our European colleagues knows no bounds. This is not even a case of “double standards”; it is some kind of parallel reality or the other side of the looking glass. One gets the impression that London, Paris, and Berlin are living in “la-la land” they created for themselves, trying to make the whole world believe in their illusions. <...>

We demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their aggressive actions. There are no and will never be any alternatives to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian issue, including its nuclear component. Russia stands ready to provide all necessary support for such efforts.

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⚡️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the situation around Iran

Moscow has received the news of the killing of the Supreme and Spiritual Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of his family, and senior Iranian officials in US and Israeli missile strikes with outrage and deep sorrow.

The Russian Federation strongly and consistently condemns the practice of political assassination and manhunt for leaders of sovereign states that goes against the fundamental principles of civilised interstate relations and constitutes a grave violation of international law.

In the course of continuing military operations, the number of casualties among civilians is constantly rising, with serious damage being inflicted on civilian infrastructure as well.

Retaliation strikes at the US military bases in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, along with the activation of anti-aircraft defence systems, have caused damage to the international airports in Dubai, Kuwait City, sea ports, high-rises and hotels in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

It has been reported that navigation has been stopped in the Strait of Hormuz. This can lead to the blocking of hydrocarbon exports to the region and create a significant imbalance in the global oil and gas markets.

❗️ We call for immediate de-escalation, cessation of hostilities, resumption of political and diplomatic processes, to settle any existing problems on the basis of the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The legitimate interests of all the states in the Persian Gulf must be taken into account.

⚡️ Russian MFA statement on the situation around Iran

We are concerned regarding the expansion of the armed confrontation across the entire Middle East region as a result of the aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.

It has become evident that, beyond seeking regime change in the Islamic Republic of Iran through the most unscrupulous means – including the killing of the leadership of a sovereign state – Washington and Tel Aviv are attempting to provoke a breakdown in the process of normalizing relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours.

For our part, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities by all sides and for the adoption – as an unconditional priority – of comprehensive measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in all countries of the region.

🔉 Audio statement by Maria Zakharova (in Russian)

The strike on a girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab, which reportedly killed dozens of innocent children, warrants unequivocal condemnation.

❗️ Any attacks on civilian facilities – whether in Iran or in Arab states – are unacceptable and must cease immediately.

We once again urge the parties to renounce the use of force in addressing their differences and to return to a political and diplomatic path towards resolving all outstanding issues, with full respect for the legitimate security interests of every state in the region.

🇷🇺 Statement by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov at the special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on the situation around Iran

📍Vienna, March 2, 2026

💬 We convened the special session of the IAEA Board of Governors because we are convinced that the tragic events unfolding in Iran have direct and immediate bearing on the Agency’s mandate and require an urgent response

⬛ However, first and foremost, on behalf of the Russian Federation I would like to begin by extending condolences to the people of Iran in connection with the cynical killing by the USA and Israel of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as the barbaric attack on a girls’ school in the city of Minab, as a result of which, according to reports, more than 150 people were killed, over one hundred of them children

❗The Russian Federation strongly and categorically condemns the armed aggression against Iran launched by the USA and Israel on the morning of 28 February, the destructive consequences of which have already spread to other countries of the region. Scenario of attacks of June 2025 has been repeated almost identically. Once again, the negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear programme was used as cover for the attack, this time with the direct involvement of the IAEA Director General. Once again, at the centre of the rhetoric and threats of the U.S. leadership are Iran’s nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. However, the current statements by the leadership of the United States and Israel leave not the slightest doubt that their sole objective is the overthrow of the legitimate government of Iran and the complete destruction of its statehood

In other words, the concerns declared over past quarter century in the context of Iran’s nuclear programme were merely a facade for pursuing this single objective. This demonstrates that non-proliferation is regarded in Washington exclusively as an instrument for settling political scores with states whose independent policies and sovereign choices they find unacceptable. Such a strikingly reckless and undeniable violation of international law and the UN Charter became possible only because of the prevailing sense of absolute impunity and permissiveness in the United States and, more broadly, across the Western camp

We are closely monitoring situation and categorically state that nuclear facilities must under no circumstances become targets of attacks. We recall that attacks against nuclear facilities and threats of such attacks constitute violations of international law, Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the IAEA, as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and Agency’s General Conference. In this context, we particularly emphasize that Russian personnel continues to operate in Iran, servicing the Bushehr NPP. In order to avoid catastrophic consequences for the entire Middle East region, we demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease military actions and return the situation onto a political and diplomatic track of settlement

🇪🇺 We cannot but note the role of the EU and the E3 in consistently servicing Washington’s anti-Iranian line at all its stages: the destruction of the JCPOA, integration into the policy of «maximum pressure», unlawful and unsuccessful attempts to trigger the snapback mechanism under UN Security Council resolution 2231, unjustified escalation in the IAEA Board of Governors, and finally acquiescence in - or even solidarity with - the June aggression. It is now obvious that the alleged threat purportedly emanating from Iran’s nuclear programme never in fact concerned anyone in the West. In this regard, it is important to stress that the IAEA Secretariat, even in its notorious «comprehensive assessment of Iran’s nuclear programme» issued last year, which laid fertile ground for the attack on Iran, never drew conclusions indicating that Tehran might be engaged in the development of nuclear weapons

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❕Комментарий Генерального Консульства России в Киркенесе.

Крайне обеспокоены и возмущены осквернением мемориала советским воинам в п. Нейден. Этот памятник был воздвигнут норвежскими организациями в 1994 г. в честь 50-летия освобождения Нейдена Красной армией от нацистских захватчиков. Он олицетворяет благодарность местных жителей советским солдатам погибшим за свободу Восточного Финнмарка. Такое отношение к страницам совместной истории в Приграничье вызывает глубокое сожеление и отторжение.
Рассчитываем на оперативное установление норвежской полицией виновных.

❕Kommentar fra Russlands generalkonsulat i Kirkenes.

Vi er svært bekymret og opprørt over skjendingen av minnesmerket til sovjetiske soldater i Neiden. Monumentet ble reist av norske organisasjoner i 1994 for å merke 50-års jubileet av Den Røde armées frigjøring av Neiden fra nazistene. Det symboliserer lokalbefolkningens takknemlighet til sovjetiske soldater som døde for friheten av Øst-Finnmark. Slik holdning til vår felleshistorie i Grenseområdet er dypt beklagelig og avstøtende.
Vi regner med at politiet vil kunne raskt identifisere de ansvarlige.

🎙️Из интервью Посла России в Норвегии Н.В.Корчунова для РИА Новости в связи с Днем Арктики (2 марта 2026 г.)

Основные тезисы:

• Отмечаем обострившиеся в последнее время противоречия по вопросам арктической повестки, включая территориальную проблематику, между арктическими странами НАТО, а также усиливающееся стремление укрепить свою роль в северных широтах со стороны внерегиональных членов блока, которые привносят туда напряженность и элементы противостояния, что не соответствует традиционному для региона духу сотрудничества.

• Для ЕС, большинство стран-членов которого не обладают значительными запасами углеводородов и критически важных минералов, Гренландия, по всей видимости, по-прежнему представляется все еще колониальным образованием и перспективной территорией для восполнения недостающих природных ресурсов.

• Россия никому не угрожает в Арктике и неизменно стремится к поддержанию мира и стабильности в высоких широтах, сохраняет приверженность международному праву и политико-дипломатическим решениям возникающих вопросов.

• Видим неготовность партнеров к возобновлению полноформатной работы Арктического совета в соответствии с Оттавской декларацией 1996 года, согласно которой Арктический совет является прежде всего межправительственной, а не просто экспертной площадкой.

• Пока будет продолжаться подмена политических треков военными, международного права – миропорядком, основанным на правилах, уровень напряженности в регионе будет только нарастать, а его проблемы оставаться без должного ответа.

• Полагаем важным сохранять прагматичный настрой в Заполярье независимо от курса и междоусобных проблем западных государств, решительно отстаивая свои национальные интересы в регионе. Открыты к взаимовыгодной кооперации в Арктике, в том числе и с США, на основе принципов равноправия и взаимного учета интересов.

• Приближение военной инфраструктуры и наступательных систем вооружений стран НАТО к нашим границам, безусловно, представляет угрозу для национальной безопасности России.

• России есть чем ответить на угрозы ее стратегическим морским коммуникациям. МИД ведет соответствующую работу на всех профильных международных площадках в плотном взаимодействии со странами Мирового большинства, которые, как и мы, считают категорически неприемлемыми неоколониальные притязания Запада на морское господство.

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🎙️ From the interview with the Ambassador of Russia to Norway Nikolay Korchunov for RIA Novosti in connection with the Arctic Day (2 March 2026)

Main points:

· We note the recent intensification of contradictions on Arctic issues, including territorial issues, between Arctic NATO countries, as well as the growing desire to strengthen their role in the northern latitudes on the part of non-regional members of the bloc, which are bringing tension and elements of confrontation to the region, which is not in line with the traditional spirit of cooperation in the region.

· For the EU, most of whose member states do not have significant reserves of hydrocarbons and critical minerals, Greenland still appears to be a colonial entity and a promising territory for replenishing missing natural resources. 

· Russia poses no threat to anyone in the Arctic and consistently strives to maintain peace and stability in the high latitudes, remaining committed to international law and political and diplomatic solutions to emerging issues.

· We see that our partners are not ready to resume full-scale work of the Arctic Council in accordance with the 1996 Ottawa Declaration, according to which the Arctic Council is primarily an intergovernmental, rather than simply an expert, forum. We advocate the restoration of the Arctic Council's full-fledged activities.

· As long as political tracks continue to be replaced by military ones, and international law by a rules-based world order, tensions in the region will only increase and its problems will remain unresolved.

· We believe it is important to maintain a pragmatic approach in the Arctic, regardless of the course and internal problems of Western states, resolutely defending our national interests in the region. We are open to mutually beneficial cooperation in the Arctic, including with the United States, based on the principles of equality and mutual consideration of interests. 

· The approach of NATO countries' military infrastructure and offensive weapons systems to our borders undoubtedly poses a threat to Russia's national security.

· Russia has the means to respond to threats to its strategic maritime communications. The Foreign Ministry is working on this issue in all relevant international forums, in close cooperation with the countries of the Global Majority, which, like us, consider the West's neo-colonial claims to maritime supremacy to be categorically unacceptable.

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🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On March 3, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone.

The Ministers discussed developments in the region following the unprovoked armed aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.

They emphasized that such actions undermine the fundamental norms of international law and entail extremely grave consequences for the entire Middle East.

This position was clearly reaffirmed by the Russian representative at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s principled stance in favour of de-escalation, the rejection of the use of force and a return to a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict, confirming Russia’s readiness to facilitate this by all available means.

The priority of ensuring the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure in all countries of the region was also underscored.

#RussiaIran

🎙️Из интервью Посла России в Норвегии Н.В.Корчунова для МИЦ «Известия» (1 марта 2026 г.)

Основные тезисы:

• На Шпицбергене Россия единственная, кроме Норвегии, осуществляет хозяйственную деятельность на протяжении многих десятилетий и не намерена сворачивать свое присутствие. Напротив, имеются долгосрочные планы его укрепления и диверсификации, в т.ч. за счет расширения научной деятельности и спектра предоставляемых услуг в сфере туризма. Первоочередной задачей является обеспечение жизнедеятельности наших поселков – Баренцбурга и Пирамиды.

• Скоро в Баренцбурге начнет работу Международный научно-образовательный центр на Шпицбергене. Его создание открывает новые перспективы для взаимодействия и объединения усилий в научной сфере. Это позволит укрепить роль Баренцбурга как современного центра научного и культурного присутствия России в Арктике, открытого для международного сотрудничества.

• К сожалению, Шпицберген оказался втянут в западную санкционную «игру» вопреки наличию у него особого международно-правового статуса. Распространение на архипелаг односторонних ограничительных мер, не получивших одобрение Совбеза ООН, неправомерно с точки зрения международного права. Ожидаем соблюдения норвежской стороной международного права в соответствии с духом и буквой Договора о Шпицбергене 1920 г.

• В основе подходов Осло к реализации Договора 1920 г. лежит стремление к укреплению норвежского суверенитета на Шпицбергене. Ряд предпринимаемых мер вызывает у нас вопросы в контексте обеспечения недискриминационного режима для всех участников Договора, включая российских граждан и организаций.

• Обеспокоены предпринимаемыми Осло шагами по наращиванию военного присутствия на архипелаге и перспективами вовлечения его в орбиту структур военно- политического планирования НАТО. Ожидаем, что Осло будет придерживаться добросовестного выполнения обязательств по Договору 1920 г., запрещающих в том числе военную деятельность на архипелаге.

• Попытки втянуть демилитаризованный Шпицберген в некую «битву за Арктику» предпринимаются не нами, а исключительно странами Запада, главным образом из состава НАТО. Наша же страна столетиями бережно осваивала архипелаг и никогда не ставила под сомнение необходимость международного сотрудничества там на основе полного и последовательного соблюдения Договора 1920 г.

• Практическое взаимодействие с норвежской стороной по Шпицбергену в целом имеет прагматичный характер, осуществляются преимущественно на уровне губернатора архипелага и нацелено в основном на защиту прав и интересов российских граждан, проживающих на архипелаге, обеспечение деятельности треста «Арктикуголь» и российских научных организаций.

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🎙️ Fra et intervju med Russlands ambassadør i Norge Nikolay Korchunov for avisen Izvestia (1. mars 2026)

Hovedpunkter:

• Russland er det eneste landet utenom Norge som har drevet økonomisk virksomhet på Spitsbergen i mange tiår, og har ingen intensjoner om å redusere sin tilstedeværelse. Tvert imot har vi langsiktige planer om å styrke og diversifisere den, blant annet ved å utvide den vitenskapelige virksomheten og tilbudet av tjenester innen turisme. Hovedoppgaven er å sikre levedyktigheten til våre bosetninger – Barentsburg og Pyramiden. 

• Det internasjonale vitenskapelige og pedagogiske senteret på Spitsbergen vil snart begynne å operere i Barentsburg. Opprettelsen av senteret åpner for nye muligheter for samarbeid og felles innsats på det vitenskapelige området. Dette vil styrke Barentsburgs rolle som et moderne senter for Russlands vitenskapelige og kulturelle tilstedeværelse i Arktis, åpent for internasjonalt samarbeid.

• Dessverre har Spitsbergen blitt trukket inn i det vestlige sanksjonsspillet til tross for sin spesielle folkerettslige status. Utvidelsen av ensidige restriktive tiltak til øygruppen, som ikke er godkjent av FNs sikkerhetsråd, er ulovlig sett fra et folkerettslig synspunkt.

• Vi forventer at Norge overholder folkeretten i samsvar med ånden og bokstaven i Spitsbergen-traktaten fra 1920. Oslos tilnærming til gjennomføringen av traktaten fra 1920 er basert på ønsket om å styrke norsk suverenitet over Spitsbergen. 

• En rekke tiltak som er iverksatt, reiser spørsmål for oss i sammenheng med å sikre et ikke-diskriminerende regime for alle deltakerne i traktaten, inkludert russiske borgere og organisasjoner. 

• Vi er bekymret for tiltakene Oslo har iverksatt for å bygge opp sin militære tilstedeværelse i øygruppen og utsiktene til at den blir involvert i NATOs militære og politiske planleggingsstrukturer. Vi forventer at Oslo overholder sine forpliktelser i henhold til 1920-traktaten, som blant annet forbyr militær aktivitet på øygruppen.

• Det er ikke vi, men utelukkende vestlige land, hovedsakelig NATO-medlemmer, som forsøker å trekke det demilitariserte Spitsbergen inn i en slags «kamp om Arktis».

• Vårt land har i århundrer utviklet øygruppen på en forsiktig måte og har aldri stilt spørsmål ved behovet for internasjonalt samarbeid der, på grunnlag av full og konsekvent overholdelse av 1920-traktaten.

• Det praktiske samarbeidet med Norge om Spitsbergen er generelt pragmatisk, foregår hovedsakelig på øygruppens sysselmesternivå og har først og fremst som mål å beskytte rettighetene og interessene til russiske borgere som bor i øygruppen og sikre driften av Arktikugol og russiske vitenskapelige organisasjoner.

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⚡️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the situation in the Middle East (March 5, 2026)

💬 Moscow is deeply concerned that the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.

There are no signs that the US and Israel – which launched a military operation under a completely far-fetched pretext aimed at overthrowing the legitimate authorities in Iran – are prepared to show restraint and stop the bloodshed. On the contrary, belligerent statements continue to flow from their capitals, while the Israeli army has carried out a new incursion into Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the aggressors are seeking to sow division within the Islamic world in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan.

They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against facilities in several Arab countries, which resulted in human casualties and material damage – developments that the Russian side deeply regrets.

In doing so, they are attempting to draw Arab states into a war serving someone else’s interests. At the same time, they are trying to divert attention from the catastrophic plight of the Palestinian people.

Russia once again calls on all parties to the current confrontation to immediately cease hostilities, including unacceptable strikes on the territory of the Arab states of the Gulf.

We consider attacks on civilians and strikes against any civilian infrastructure – whether in Iran or in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council – to be absolutely unacceptable.

❗️ It is clear that the only way to prevent the region from sliding further into the abyss of destabilization is to stop the aggression of the US and Israel, which triggered this chain reaction of suffering for the Arab peoples.

🎙 Comment by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on France’s decision to increase its nuclear arsenal (March 4, 2026)

💬 The statement made the other day by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Paris’s intention to embark upon a non-transparent expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which in itself constitutes an extremely destabilising development, should be viewed in a broader context.

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We note that the United Kingdom earlier announced an approach largely similar to the course now adopted by France, having some time ago also begun a significant expansion of its national nuclear arsenal while reducing its transparency.

Moreover, in accordance with US-UK arrangements, London will, in addition to its existing sea-based component, acquire air delivery systems for nuclear weapons and gain access, with US consent, to US nuclear aerial bombs newly deployed in Britain which will further increase the number of warheads that the country could employ in a potential conflict.

At the same time, NATO’s traditional policy in this sphere excludes disclosure of the quantitative parameters of US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. Russia is compelled to take into account that, in addition to the United Kingdom, an undeclared number of such weapons is stationed in four other European NATO countries and Türkiye, from where they are capable of striking a broad range of critically important targets on the territory of the Russian Federation. <...>

Beyond strengthening their national military nuclear capabilities, the United Kingdom and France are working with their allies to shape a certain independent or autonomous European nuclear deterrent capability.

Initial, somewhat disingenuous attempts to present this as an alternative to the American nuclear umbrella quickly gave way to recognition of the obvious fact that this concerns the expansion of the European nuclear component within NATO, in addition to the existing practice of nuclear sharing missions based on US nuclear weapons.

Thus, there is a substantial reinforcement and expansion of NATO’s overall nuclear potential, which, in the event of a direct military conflict with Russia, could be coordinated against our country not only in its European segment but in its entirety, including the US arsenal. <...>

We also note that the decisions by London and Paris to expand their nuclear arsenals are intended to be implemented outside international constraints, continuing their long-standing policy of avoiding participation in any nuclear arms control arrangements.

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