Outgoing National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan denied reports that the Biden administration is considering returning nuclear weapons to Ukraine, after the country relinquished its stockpile three decades ago after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Last month, the New York Times reported that several anonymous officials floated the idea of Ukraine becoming a nuclear power again as a deterrent against its Russian invaders.
“That is not under consideration. No,” Sullivan told ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday when asked about the report.
“What we are doing is surging various conventional capacities to Ukraine so that they can effectively defend themselves and take the fight to the Russians, not nuclear capability.”
In 1994, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum agreeing to cede its nuclear weapons — which were part of the Soviets’ broader arsenal — in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the US and the United Kingdom.
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