(LibertySociety.com) – On March 16, the UK published its Integrated Review. The 111-page document included a declaration that it “reserve[s] the right” to use nuclear weapons if other countries use the weapons against it. The UK also plans to increase its nuclear stockpile from 180 to 260 warheads. Russia has now responded to the news.
UK expands its nuclear arsenal in the biggest shift since the Cold War https://t.co/ZWLlWt5jCU pic.twitter.com/JneAp91vbk
— Zoe Schneeweiss (@ZSchneeweiss) March 17, 2021
The day after the review was published, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he’s “sorry” the UK chose the “path of increasing nuclear warheads.” He said he thinks it will harm “international stability and strategic security,” explaining that warheads threaten “peace” in the world already.
Reports are calling the UK’s decision the biggest shift in nuclear policy since the Cold War. It comes on the heels of the US and Russia extending the New START nuclear treaty, an agreement limiting the number of nuclear warheads the two countries have deployed. The UK’s decision could create unnecessary tension that erupts into a conflict if something goes awry.
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