Declaration by the five nuclear powers: “A nuclear war must never be waged”

A joint declaration by the five Security Council members is rare: the five nuclear powers USA, Russia, China, France and Great Britain have now confirmed their will to take action against the further spread of nuclear weapons.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council want to prevent further spread of nuclear weapons. “We deeply believe that further spread of such weapons must be prevented,” said a joint statement published by the five nuclear powers USA, Russia, China, France and Great Britain. “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be waged,” declared the five states.

Since the use of nuclear weapons would have far-reaching consequences, these weapons should “while they still exist” only serve “defense purposes, deterring aggressors and preventing war,” emphasize the signatories.

“Create a safe environment”

The five states reaffirm their control function over the manufacture and use of nuclear weapons as well as their commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was also initiated by the signatories in 1968. “We emphasize our desire to work together with all states to create a safe environment for progress in disarmament towards a world without nuclear weapons and with undiminished security for all,” it said. To this end, multilateral talks are to be continued and intensified.

A joint statement by the five Security Council members is rare. The states, which as permanent members of the UN Security Council have a right of veto, have now made their statement before a conference on the examination of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is to take place this year and is coordinated by France. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) aims to ban the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Russia expresses hope for détente

Relations between Russia and the USA and other western countries are currently extremely tense because of the Ukraine crisis. The Russian government stated that the joint declaration of the UN veto powers on nuclear weapons came about on their initiative “and with extremely active participation” by Russia. She expressed the hope that it would contribute to global relaxation. “We hope that in the current difficult conditions of international security, the approval of such a political statement will help to alleviate the level of international tension,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow.

China’s official Xinhua news agency quoted Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu that the joint statement would “help build mutual trust and replace competition between the great powers with coordination and cooperation.”

Tensions have also increased recently between China and the United States. The joint declaration by the UN veto powers is also important for their current negotiations in Vienna on a revival of the nuclear deal with Iran. The agreement aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.