Official statements or documented requests from the Ukrainian government

Officials Propose Returning Nuclear Weapons to Ukraine as Deterrent

Nov 22, 2024, 11:03 AM

Recent discussions have emerged about the possibility of Ukraine reclaiming nuclear weapons, a topic that has gained attention in various media outlets. According to an article in The New York Times, some officials in the United States and European countries have proposed returning nuclear weapons to Ukraine. This proposal follows Ukraine's denuclearization in 1994, when it signed the Budapest Memorandum in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the US, and the UK. Ukrainian officials argue that nuclear weapons are the only alternative to NATO membership for ensuring the country's security. Several officials suggested that President Biden could return nuclear weapons to Ukraine, claiming it would be an instant and enormous deterrent. The debate highlights the ongoing concerns about Ukraine's sovereignty and security commitments from its guarantors.