The Kremlin continues its information campaign aimed at intensifying rhetoric on nuclear escalation, likely in an attempt to "drive a wedge" between the United States and the European Union. This is stated in the material of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), reports UNN.
Details
It is noted that Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) stated on April 8 that unspecified EU leaders are discussing the development of nuclear weapons production capabilities.
Russia's SVR stated that Russia is bringing this accusation to the attention of the United States to seek assistance in preventing the EU from developing nuclear weapons. The SVR appears to be making these baseless accusations as part of the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to rupture relations between the US and the EU in Russia's favor, portraying the EU as an entity acting contrary to US nuclear interests.
According to their assessments, the Kremlin often uses the SVR to substantiate baseless claims about Ukraine's alleged nuclear aspirations and to issue nuclear threats to Ukraine, Great Britain, and France.
"The SVR similarly accused Great Britain and France in February 2026, without any evidence, of attempting to transfer a 'dirty bomb' or nuclear weapons to Ukraine, which is likely intended to disrupt ongoing negotiations on Western security guarantees for Ukraine," ISW summarizes.
Recall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia's nuclear threats are related to its military failures and political pressure before negotiations. He emphasized that Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, and Moscow's accusations are baseless.