• Russia accuses Ukraine of attempting to obtain nuclear arms with UK and France's help.
• Kyiv denies allegations, stating they are "absurd lies."
• Both British and French officials label Russia’s claims as blatant disinformation.
• Russia's SVR claims UK and France believe nuclear weapons would improve Ukraine's negotiating power.
• The situation may impact ongoing US-brokered talks regarding the war in Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the UK and France of assisting Ukraine in its attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. In a statement issued on February 24, the SVR claimed that London and Paris believe that possessing nuclear arms would allow Ukraine to secure more favorable terms in peace negotiations. The Ukrainian government has dismissed these allegations as "absurd lies," asserting that they do not seek to re-acquire nuclear weapons and respect international treaties, according to aa and Reuters.

The SVR's statement specifically mentioned that both Britain and France are "actively working" to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons and associated delivery systems while attempting to conceal their involvement. Ukrainian officials have categorically denied these claims, with Heorhii Tykhyi from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stating, "Ukraine has already denied such absurd Russian claims many times before, and we officially deny them again now," according to SCMP and Reuters.

Furthermore, the SVR emphasized the notion that possessing a nuclear bomb, or even a "dirty bomb," would enhance Ukraine's negotiating leverage. A dirty bomb combines conventional explosives with radioactive material, spreading contamination rather than causing a large-scale nuclear explosion. The Russian government has repeatedly issued warnings about the risks associated with such allegations, cautioning against direct military confrontations between nuclear powers and their potentially dire consequences, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry according to Reuters and SCMP.

This development comes at a sensitive time, as Russian representatives have indicated a desire to inform the United States about these accusations, suggesting that they may influence US-brokered discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted this potential impact in recent statements, further heightening tensions in international relations surrounding the conflict, according to Reuters and SCMP.