Russland, China, Großbritannien, USA und Frankreich: Niemand kann einen Atomkrieg gewinnen

MOSCOW, Jan 3 (Reuters) -China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and France agreed that the further spread of nuclear weapons and an atomic war must be prevented, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear powers released by the Kremlin on Monday.

The statement said the five countries – permanent members of the UN Security Council – consider it their primary responsibility to prevent war between nuclear-capable states and reduce strategic risks, while aiming to work with all countries to create an atmosphere of security.

„We declare that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, which must never be initiated,“ the Russian-language version of the statement indicated.

„As the use of nuclear weapons would have far-reaching consequences, we also confirm that – as long as they exist – they should have defensive purposes, of deterrence against aggression and prevention of war,“ it added.

France also issued the communiqué, stressing that the powers reiterated their determination in favor of nuclear arms control and disarmament. It also added that they could continue bilateral and multilateral approaches to control the nuclear arsenal.

The communique was issued amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Moscow and Western nations over concerns about Russia’s troop buildup near neighboring Ukraine. Moscow says it can move its soldiers within its own territory as it sees fit.

On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that an eventual move on Ukraine will trigger sanctions and an increased U.S. presence in Europe.