The joint statement released on Monday by Russia stresses the five nuclear powers considered the avoidance of war between Nuclear-Weapon States and the reduction of strategic risks as our foremost responsibilities.

We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons—for as long as they continue to exist—should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.

In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry´s spokeswoman María Zajárova pointed out that her nation supports the signing of the document, which develops the bilateral declarations adopted with the United States and China on June 16 and 28, 2021, respectively.

“The declaration reflects an important idea for us: the inadmissibility of a war – both nuclear and with conventional weapons – among nuclear powers,” the diplomat explained.

Ms. Zajárova assured that Moscow hopes that, “in the current complex circumstances”, approving a political declaration of this kind “will contribute to reducing international tensions and will also help to stop the arms race.”

In this regard, the document read that the nuclear powers are deeply committed to working with all nations for a safer environment to foster disarmament in order to build a world free of nuclear weapons without compromising anyone´s safety.

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