It isn’t true that nuclear weapon possession prevents war. This is evidenced by  conflict between India and Pakistan, both of which are nuclear states. 

Note that Ukraine never had an independent nuclear arsenal, nor the funds or infrastructure to maintain it. It is true that some Soviet nuclear weapons were at one time stationed in Ukraine. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the warheads were returned to Russia and the missiles dismantled. 

Russia’s nuclear threat is very serious, as wartime tensions increase the chance of accidental use. 

Declassified UK reports that “The UK anticipated a “serious confrontation between Russia and Ukraine” as far back as 1992″.

Nuclear power plants have played a dangerous part in the Ukraine-Russia war.  Long range indirect type or even line-of- sight direct attacks that miss could have dire consequences. 

As such, high value equipment could be kept in various locations at a captured plant in comparative safety in the knowledge that it would be highly unlikely such assets would be on the receiving end of kinetic attacks.

As a multi-faceted military base, the civilian nuclear power station is almost invulnerable to all but an extraordinarily well coordinated special forces attempt at recapture. 

Watch our webinar on radioactivity at the Chornobyl power plant.

Read our publication about the wartime risks at the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

Excerpt by Mark Curtis: UK participation in the Ukraine conflict is far-reaching, involving military and intelligence support, arms supplies and information warfare. But as Ukraine makes gains on the battlefield, Whitehall sees the war not only as a way to defend Kyiv but to ensure the strategic defeat of its rival, Russia – a dangerous strategy.

Read the full article on Britain’s proxy war on Russia.

Almost all wars end in negotiations. Professor Paul Rogers’ Analyses when this might be for Russia and Ukraine. 

Foreign Affaires report on the issue. 

Of course, the future of Ukraine should be decided by the people and government of Ukraine. This includes decisions about when to negotiate in the current conflict. 

In Scotland, the site of the UK nuclear weapons, Scottish CND has a responsibility to make people aware of every horrific aspect of the UK’s own nuclear weapon system – the submarine launched nuclear armed Trident missiles. 

Our focus is on encouraging the Scottish and UK governments to play constructive roles that give peace a chance, as well as encouraging people in Scotland to find ways of providing humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine and/or enhancing dialogue with and between people in Ukraine and Russia.

More information on Scotland’s responsibility.