Possibility of Nuclear War Must Be Ruled Out, Says Lavrov on Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing

Aug. 6, 2020 (EIRNS)—Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a message to participants in a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, stressed that the possibility of nuclear war must be ruled out. According to Lavrov, “as a nuclear-weapon state, Russia recognizes its responsibility for international security, and global and regional stability. We are aware of the impact that the use of nuclear weapons may have.” He continued that “Our country pursues a policy of peace and non-confrontation in international affairs.

“Today, we note with great concern the degradation of the international arms control system, denunciation of treaties, disregard of the principles of undiminished security of states, and a significant increase in nuclear risks. There has been an alarming shift in doctrinal military and political policies towards the idea that it is acceptable to employ nuclear weapons as a means of warfare.

“We need to eliminate the risk of military confrontation between the nuclear powers and rule out the possibility of a nuclear war. We firmly believe that such a war cannot be won and must never be unleashed. We suggest that all nuclear powers officially confirm their commitment to this tenet.”

As for what Russia wants to discuss with the U.S. in arms control talks, Lavrov listed “the deployment of a global missile defense system by the United States, development of high-precision non-nuclear strategic offensive arms, weaponization of outer space and cyberspace, and the United States’ refusal to ratify the CTBT [Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty].”

The full statement is posted to the Foreign Ministry website.