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Group statement | 14 March 2022

Statement by the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG) Co-Conveners: Ukraine and reducing nuclear risks

Diplomacy Nuclear Security Nuclear Weapons Russia Russia-West Relations Ukraine Euro-Atlantic Security
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The Co-Conveners of the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG) released the following statement:

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: Jane Kinninmont (European Leadership Network), [email protected], 0203 176 2555

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Read the full statement here.

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the signatories and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELN’s aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europe’s capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security policy challenges of our time.

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Commentary

Nuclear dangers of Russia’s war against Ukraine: Implications for multilateral nuclear diplomacy and recommendations for risk reduction

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increases nuclear risks and represents a major setback for multilateral nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament diplomacy. To mitigate the risk of nuclear escalation, the P5 must demonstrate to the international community that they stand behind their joint affirmation that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”