Reducing and eliminating nuclear risks that could lead to catastrophic consequences is a common interest for all nations and an enduring responsibility of the nuclear weapon states. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine elevates such risks dramatically. The firefight at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was the latest reminder of how nuclear catastrophe can quickly rise to the surface in the “fog of war.” The leaders of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States together affirmed in January that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” The first and most essential step toward reducing the risks of a consequential accident, mistake, or miscalculation is a ceasefire to end the unacceptable and unjustifiable loss of human lives, including innocent civilians.
Dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations are the only acceptable route to resolving the conflict in a way that can stand the test of time. We must return to diplomacy and dialogue to ensure current disputes on core issues are negotiated and not fought. We welcome the first attempts of Russia and Ukraine to start such negotiations. We also welcome the efforts of world leaders aimed at finding a political settlement. We highlight the importance of keeping diplomatic and military communications channels open at all times. We stand ready to provide civil-society support to leaders moving the world in a safer and more hopeful direction.
Reducing and eliminating nuclear risks that could lead to catastrophic consequences is a common interest for all nations and an enduring responsibility of the nuclear weapon states. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine elevates such risks dramatically. The firefight at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was the latest reminder of how nuclear catastrophe can quickly rise to the surface in the “fog of war.” The leaders of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States together affirmed in January that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” The first and most essential step toward reducing the risks of a consequential accident, mistake, or miscalculation is a ceasefire to end the unacceptable and unjustifiable loss of human lives, including innocent civilians.
Dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations are the only acceptable route to resolving the conflict in a way that can stand the test of time. We must return to diplomacy and dialogue to ensure current disputes on core issues are negotiated and not fought. We welcome the first attempts of Russia and Ukraine to start such negotiations. We also welcome the efforts of world leaders aimed at finding a political settlement. We highlight the importance of keeping diplomatic and military communications channels open at all times. We stand ready to provide civil-society support to leaders moving the world in a safer and more hopeful direction.
Signatories
Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG) Co-Conveners
Lord Des Browne, Vice Chair, Nuclear Threat Initiative; Chair of the Board of Trustees and Directors of the European Leadership Network; and former Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom
Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador (rtd)President, Munich Security Conference Foundation; and former State Secretary, German Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Professor Igor Ivanov, President of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC); and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russia
Ernest J. Moniz, Co-Chair and CEO, Nuclear Threat Initiative; and former U.S. Secretary of Energy, United States
Sam Nunn Co-Chair, Nuclear Threat Initiative; and former U.S. Senator, United States
CONTACT: Cathy Gwin (Nuclear Threat Initiative), gwin@nti.org, 202-270-5942
