loading…
“Either we are part of an alliance like NATO, and help make Europe stronger, or we only have one option: arm ourselves, perhaps, consider nuclear status once again. How else can we guarantee our protection? ” said the diplomat, speaking to German media outlet DeutschlandFunk Sputnik, Friday (16/4/2021).
Accusing Russia of wanting to remove Ukraine as a state, Melnyk said Ukraine needed not only moral support from the West, but a modern weapon system, as well as military assistance from alliance members including Germany.
Also read: US Affirms Ready to Help Ukraine Strengthen Defense
Ukraine became a nuclear weapons state in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Kiev briefly inherited the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal, including 176 intercontinental missiles (ICBMs), 44 strategic bombers, dozens of bombers and some 1,700 warheads after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
In 1994, Kiev agreed to remove this arsenal and join the Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty, with Russia, the United States and Britain agreeing to guarantee its safety.
It is possible for Ukraine to retain the technical capability of building a nuclear arsenal, however, the state of its civilian nuclear power program leaves something to be desired. Last year, Ukrainian nuclear industry workers sounded the alarm about the threat of “another Chernobyl,” citing the dire situation they say is taking shape in the country’s nuclear energy sector due to a lack of oversight, safety clearance and funding.
After deteriorating relations with Russia, Ukraine began buying nuclear fuel rods from Westinghouse, an American company. However, observers have expressed concern that the fuel rods are not completely compatible with Soviet-era reactors.
After the 2014 coup, Crimea’s referendum to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia, as well as the outbreak of civil war in the country’s east, Kiev decided to pursue non-aligned status and reactivate previous plans to join NATO.
Also read: Tension with Russia Heats up, Ukraine is desperate to be appointed as a member of NATO
Under NATO rules, countries suffering from civil war or unresolved conflicts with other countries are not eligible to join the bloc.
Recent weeks have seen a major surge in tensions between Kiev and the self-proclaimed Donbas republic, with the latter accusing the Ukrainian military of a series of provocations and making preparations for a major offensive. Kiev and its Western supporters blame Russia for the tensions, and accuse Moscow of a military buildup on its borders.
Russian officials have urged Kiev to stick to the terms of the Minsk ceasefire, and warned that it would hold Ukraine and its US and NATO partners responsible for the deteriorating security situation.
Signed in February 2015 after months of fighting between Kiev forces and local militias, the Minsk agreement envisages a ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons from lines of contact, and a gradual return of rebel territory to Kiev jurisdiction, pending special guarantees of legislative mandated autonomy status.
Also read: Russia and Ukraine Hold Simultaneous Military Exercises, NATO and US Wary
The ceasefire portion of the agreement has been implemented and generally complied with, but other points – including guarantees of autonomy – have yet to be realized by Kiev, turning the civil war in the country’s east into a frozen conflict.
(ian)
– .
