Ukrainian Defence Minister Andrii Taran explained on Wednesday 14 April that Russia could store nuclear weapons in Crimea.
“The Crimean infrastructure is being prepared for the potential storage of nuclear weapons”, he told a hearing of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). In his view, the very presence of nuclear munitions on the peninsula could trigger a range of complex political, legal, and moral problems.
The minister also referred to Russian troop movements on the Ukrainian borders, which he described as “potentially offensive military exercises” that could be used to carry out “unpredictable and escalating actions” from Crimea. According to him, more than 100,000 Russian soldiers are stationed on the borders with substantial equipment.
Mr Taran felt that Russia was deploying its forces to put pressure on Ukraine, to prevent it from reforming and to hinder it politically in terms of its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and to engage in strategic exercises.
For its part, Ukraine will increase the resilience of its security and defence systems to be able to respond as quickly as possible if necessary, he warned.
Furthermore, according to the Minister, “it is important for Ukraine to make a clear commitment to the NATO Membership Action Plan. Perhaps this could serve as a deterrent to Russia’s actions”. Mr Taran hoped that all countries would be vigilant in ensuring that Russia complies with international rules.
At press time, the NATO Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministerial videoconference meeting concerning Russian troops on the Ukrainian borders (see EUROPE 12697/3) was still in progress. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)