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This week sees further peace talks in Geneva between Russia and Ukraine, as well as a meeting involving the United States and Iran over Iran’s nuclear programme. Nuclear weapons are central to both.
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Russia has threatened to use nuclear weapons – both overtly and tacitly – more than once since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, while the US has justified its attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year and current threats of further attacks by saying it is trying to prevent Iran developing the bomb. European leaders’ comments during the Munich Security Conference – with the notable exception of Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez - advocating Europe build up its own nuclear forces - underline how the war in Ukraine has increased nuclear tensions and the risk of a nuclear war on the continent. Further US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities will only increase the risk of radioactive contamination across the country and are more likely to push Iran to develop nuclear weapons – something both US intelligence and the International Atomic Energy Agency assess it has not yet done. In light of this, ICAN’s Executive Director, Melissa Parke, has issued this statement. Regarding Russia/Ukraine, Ms Parke said: “ICAN calls on the governments meeting in Geneva this week to recognise the role nuclear weapons play in causing mistrust and insecurity in Europe. The doubling down on so-called deterrence that we heard in Munich over the weekend can only make things more dangerous. To achieve a durable, lasting peace settlement over Ukraine, any agreement must involve the removal of all nuclear weapons from European countries. Following the demise of the New START treaty, the US and Russia should agree to abide by its limits while negotiating the elimination of their arsenals, as President Trump has previously suggested. Only then can the safety and security of Europe’s people be assured.” On the Iran talks, Ms Parke called on Washington and Tehran to step back from renewed conflict: “It is imperative the two sides come to a peaceful and fair agreement that respects Iran’s commitments and entitlements under the NPT and reassures the international community it will not develop nuclear weapons, as well as ruling out further US military action. More attacks on Iran would be as illegal under international law as last year’s US bombing of Iran. Such attacks would also be counterproductive by strengthening those in Iran who have argued that Israeli and US attacks mean Iran needs to develop nuclear weapons.” |
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For further information and interview requests contact Alistair Burnett, ICAN Head of Communications [email protected] +41 78 238 7179 |
Further reading:
Almost three quarters of Swedes support joining UN Nuclear Ban Treaty and two thirds oppose hosting nuclear weapons – new poll finds
ICAN endorses Nobel Laureates’ Rome Declaration on AI and Nuclear Weapons
NATO leaders need to understand more nuclear weapons make them less safe – ICAN
Tonga becomes 100th country to join UN Nuclear Ban Treaty
Global spending on nuclear weapons increased 19% in 2025 to reach its highest recorded level at $118.8 billion
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