The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the build-up of nuclear capabilities by Britain and France

The buildup of nuclear capabilities by Britain and France threatens to unleash an arms race. This was announced on April 21 by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko.

"The UK announced the build-up of its nuclear capabilities, and also under anti-Russian slogans. This in itself leads to the escalation of the arms race, which is not only inconsistent with the objectives of the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. — Ed.), but also directly contradicts the immediate obligations under this agreement," Grushko said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

He added that France and the United Kingdom, by building up their nuclear potential, "are striking at regional and global security."

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, also spoke about France's intention to participate in the nuclear arms race on March 24. He stressed that such steps mean a serious change in France's position compared to its previous course.

Grushko said on April 20 that Russia would take into account France's plans to deploy nuclear weapons in Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in early March that the United Kingdom, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden had already officially joined the negotiations on joint nuclear deterrence.