Trying to justify Russia's unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Kyiv sought to develop nuclear weapons. That is a glaring untruth, as he well knows. Thirty years ago, Ukraine had on its territory the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal. Kyiv gave those weapons up-in large part because Russia said it would respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and not use force against it. The country has never sought to reacquire nuclear arms. A months-long crisis became a war on Feb. 24, when the Russian military launched attacks into Ukraine from multiple directions. Russian officials have strained to come up with reasons. Speaking to a Russian security council meeting on Feb. 21, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu suggested that Ukraine could develop tactical nuclear weapons. Putin picked up this theme, saying: "We also know that statements have already been made that Ukraine intends to develop its own nuclear weapons. We cannot leave this real danger without reaction."
展开▼
