About: nuclear weapons
Nuclear arms control treaty set for review as divisions over non-proliferation mount
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in March, the United Nations is preparing to review the accord amid growing signs that divisions and distrust are rife among countries that possess nuclear arsenals.
Belgium debates phase-out of US nuclear weapons on its soil
It's one of Belgium's worst kept secrets. Lawmakers on Thursday (16 January) narrowly rejected a resolution asking for the removal of US nuclear weapons stationed in the country and joining the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Wind of change in Europe’s defence policy
As Europe struggles with financial and political obstacles besetting its joint defence policy efforts, and NATO faces internal rifts and an increasingly assertive Russia and China, here are six issues to watch in Europe's security and defence in 2020.
Pentagon chief seeks clarification following Erdogan’s nuclear base comments
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Monday (16 December) that he needed to speak with his Turkish counterpart to understand how serious President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was when he said he could shut down the Incirlik air base, which hosts US nuclear warheads.
US tests nuclear-capable ground-launched ballistic missile after INF treaty exit
The Pentagon on Thursday (12 December) tested a conventionally configured ground-launched ballistic missile, a test that would have been prohibited under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Turkey warns it could kick out US from Incirlik nuclear base
Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Wednesday (11 December) that the United States could be barred from using two strategic air bases in retaliation to possible US sanctions against his country, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Russia warns of repeat of 1962 Cuban missile crisis
The US deployment of land-based missile systems near Russia’s borders could lead to a stand-off comparable to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying on Monday (24 June).
INF treaty end would give US, Russia impetus to make more nukes: study
The demise of the only US-Russia arms control pact limiting deployed nuclear weapons would make it harder for each to gauge the other’s intentions, giving both incentives to expand their arsenals, according to a study to be released on Monday (1 April).
Russia to deploy nuclear-capable strategic bombers to Crimea
Russia has decided to deploy nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bombers to the Crimean peninsula in response to the US rolling out missile defense systems in Romania, the RIA news agency cited a senior Russian lawmaker as saying on Monday (18 March).
After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in US
Russian state television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.
Putin to US: I’m ready for another Cuban Missile-style crisis if you want one
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one and threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships or submarines near US territorial waters.
Moscow ready to cut time for nuclear strike on US if necessary, says Putin
Moscow will match any US move to deploy new nuclear missiles closer to Russia by stationing its own missiles closer to the United States or by deploying faster missiles or both, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday (20 February). In...
Nobel Peace Prize laureate: ‘We are going back to the 1980s’
Bringing a 1950s radioactive technology capable of wiping out cities into a high-tech environment is a recipe for suicide, says 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Beatrice Fihn. She spoke to EURACTIV.com about nuclear deterrence, arms control ambitions and the current INF Treaty debate.
France and Germany to launch first contracts on future combat jets
France and Germany will on Wednesday (6 February) announce a 65 million euros contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source said.
Putin accuses US of raising risk of nuclear war
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (20 December) accused the United States of raising the risk of nuclear war by threatening to spurn a key arms control treaty and refusing to hold talks about another pact that expires soon.
Putin lays out plans to develop missiles if US leaves treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (18 December) laid out plans for Moscow to develop mid-range missiles banned under a Cold War treaty with the United States if Washington abandons the deal.
Russian nuclear-capable bomber aircraft fly to Venezuela, angering US
Two Russian strategic bomber aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons have landed in ally Venezuela, a show of support for Venezuela’s socialist government that has infuriated Washington.
Save US-Russia nuclear treaty, EU urges
EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini on Wednesday (5 December) urged Russia and the US to save a Cold War arms control treaty after Washington issued a 60-day ultimatum to Moscow.
US gives Russia 60 days to comply with nuclear treaty
The United States delivered Russia a 60-day ultimatum on Tuesday (4 December) to come clean about what Washington says is a violation of a arms control treaty that keeps missiles out of Europe, saying only Moscow could save the pact.
EU welcomes North Korean move on nuclear tests, urges denuclearisation
The European Union's foreign affairs chief said on Saturday (21 April) that North Korea's announcement to stop nuclear tests was a positive step and called for an "irreversible denuclearisation" of the Asian country.
Russia’s Zapad war games unnerve West
From planes, radars and ships in the Baltics, NATO officials say they are watching Russia's biggest war games since 2013 with "calm and confidence", but many are unnerved about what they see as Moscow testing its ability to wage war against the West.
Germany, France, Italy seek tougher EU sanctions on North Korea
Germany, Italy and France on Sunday (3 September) urged tougher EU sanctions against North Korea, after Pyongyang "reached a new dimension of provocation" with its latest nuclear test.
What a US president wants and what he must do are two different things
Donald Trump may want the United States to be less involved in the world but the reality is that the US is deeply involved, writes George Friedman.