Zelenskyy responds to rumor about Ukraine's plans to 'restore its nuclear arsenal'
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is not discussing the possibility of restoring its nuclear arsenal. The relevant rumors are fake, according to Bild and a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
What Bild wrote
Today, October 17, the Bild news agency, citing an unnamed high-ranking Ukrainian official, reported that Ukraine would allegedly restore its nuclear arsenal if Russia invades again after the current war ends.
The unnamed official claimed that Ukraine "has the materials and knowledge" for nuclear weapons. Therefore, it could take only a few weeks to create the first bomb.
Zelenskyy's reaction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already responded to the report by the German newspaper Bild.
"We never spoke that we are preparing to create nuclear weapons," the head of state emphasized.
He reminded that under the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine was supposed to receive security guarantees from "respectable countries" after giving up its nuclear arsenal.
"That means that it's not a very good umbrella for our security. That's why I said, I don't have an alternative, except NATO. That was my signal. We don't do nuclear weapons, please, don't move these messages," Zelenskyy said.
Another statement by Zelenskyy on 'nuclear weapons'
Today, October 17, during another press conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed details of his talks with US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
According to Zelenskyy, he warned Trump that Ukraine has two options: either it will regain nuclear weapons, or it will secure NATO membership.
He emphasized that Ukraine has decided to choose NATO membership as a guarantee for its security.
