China, Russia, England, the United States and France have agreed that further deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear war must be avoided, according to a joint statement by five nuclear powers published by the Kremlin on Monday.
It is said that five countries – who are permanent members of the UN Security Council – consider their main responsibility to avoid war between nuclear countries and to reduce strategic risks, while aiming to work with all countries to create a security atmosphere.
“We confirm that nuclear war cannot be won and should not be fought for,” the English version of the statement reads.
“Because nuclear use will have extensive consequences, we also confirm that nuclear weapons – as long as they continue to exist – must serve defensive purposes, prevent aggression, and prevent war.”
Chinese Foreign Minister MA ZHAOXU said a joint statement could help increase reciprocal beliefs and “replace competition between the main forces and coordination and cooperation,” adding that China has a policy “without first use” about nuclear weapons, Xinhua State News Agency reported .
France also released the statement, underlining that five forces reaffirmed their determination to control nuclear weapons and disarmament. They will continue the bilateral and multilateral approach to nuclear weapons control, he said.
The statement from what is called a P5 group comes as bilateral relations between the United States and Moscow has fallen to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War, while the relationship between Washington and China is also in a low rane of disagreement.
The Pentagon in November sharply increases China’s nuclear weapons estimation that is projected over the coming years, say Beijing can have 700 warheads in 2027 and maybe 1,000 in 2030.
Washington has repeatedly urged China to join him and Russia in a new weapon control agreement.
Geopolitical tensions between Moscow and Western countries have increased over concerns about Russian military buildup near Ukrainian neighbors. Moscow said it could move his troops around his own territory as they deemed necessary.
Last Thursday, President Joe Biden told his colleague Russia, Vladimir Putin, that a possible step in Ukraine would withdraw sanctions and increased attendance in Europe.
Us. And Russia will hold security talks on January 10 to discuss concerns about their respective military activities and face increasing tensions over Ukraine, the two countries said.
A conference on the main nuclear agreement set to start on Tuesday at the United Nations has been postponed until August due to Covid-19 pandemic.
