The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly denied a recent report by The Times suggesting that Ukraine could quickly construct a basic nuclear weapon similar to the one used in Nagasaki in 1945.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi addressed the claims on November 13, stating on X, “Ukraine is committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT); we do not possess, develop, or seek to acquire nuclear weapons.”
Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and maintains full transparency, ensuring that nuclear materials are strictly for peaceful use.
The Times article referenced a study reportedly prepared for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense by the Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies, a prominent military think tank.
The study suggested that, in the event of reduced U.S. support, Ukraine could potentially develop a basic nuclear device within months, using technology similar to the "Fat Man" bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
According to the report, while Ukraine has seven tons of plutonium in spent fuel, it lacks the reprocessing facilities required to weaponize the material.
Previously, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, stated that NATO forces would be deployed in Ukraine to counter Russian aggression if Moscow did not possess nuclear capabilities.
