On the 24th (local time), exactly four years since it invaded Ukraine, Russia claimed that the United Kingdom and France were seeking to provide nuclear weapons to Ukraine. The UK, France, and Ukraine countered that Russia was fabricating an absurd lie to deflect responsibility for the invasion.

In a statement the same day, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said that “the UK and France are actively cooperating to provide nuclear bombs and the like to Kyiv.” It further claimed that the UK and France believe Ukraine must possess nuclear bombs or at least a ‘dirty bomb’ (a radiological bomb) to secure more favorable terms in end-of-war negotiations.

Senior Russian government figures amplified the SVR’s claims and launched a barrage of attacks. Maria Zakharova, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said that “any attempt to support Ukraine’s acquisition of nuclear weapons will trigger a tough response from Russia,” asserting there was ample evidence that Ukraine was trying to obtain nuclear weapons. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called it “a flagrant violation of all norms and principles of international law,” adding that “this will be taken into account in the process of end-of-war negotiations.” This suggested Russia might use the ‘allegation of nuclear weapons transfer’ as a bargaining chip in stalled talks to end the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also referenced the SVR announcement in a speech at a Federal Security Service leadership meeting that day, warning that “they will understand how things will end if nuclear weapons are used.” He added, “The enemies are seeking every possible way to bring about Russia’s defeat,” and “they will push themselves to extremes and then regret it.”

The parties concerned strongly rejected Russia’s claims. The UK Prime Minister’s Office said it was “completely untrue” and “an attempt by President Putin to divert attention from the atrocities he has committed in Ukraine.” France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs likewise dismissed the Russian assertions as “blatant disinformation.” Heorhii Tiki, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that “Russian officials with a rich record of lying are again trying to make up nonsense,” urging the international community “to reject and condemn Russia’s ‘dirty information bomb.’”

Foreign media also noted that the Russian side presented no concrete evidence to back up the statements it issued. Euronews reported that Russia likewise claimed in 2022 that Ukraine was preparing to use a ‘dirty bomb,’ but on-site verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed those claims to be false.

Denis Cenusa, a Europe and Eurasia expert, told Euronews that “the claim that France and the UK will provide nuclear weapons to Ukraine is baseless,” adding that it was a claim chosen “to undermine the credibility of the two countries leading debates on a postwar deployment to Ukraine while simultaneously targeting domestic public opinion.” Russia has also argued that, with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the United States having expired on the 5th, any new treaty to replace it should include the UK and France.

The allies’ gathering to support Ukraine, the ‘Coalition of Will,’ held a summit that day and pledged to continue full support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. In a joint statement, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany who led the meeting said they “reaffirmed their firm resolve to work together to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” and urged Russia “to engage constructively in (ceasefire) talks and accept a complete and unconditional ceasefire.”

Reuters reported that the European Union (EU) Commission plans to submit on April 15, three days after Hungary’s general election, a bill to impose a total ban on imports of Russian crude oil. The aim is to block entirely even the small volumes of Russian oil that have continued to flow despite sanctions, and the timing was reportedly adjusted to avoid the issue being used as a point of contention during Hungary’s election. Facing the risk of losing power to pro-European opposition parties in the April 12 election, Hungary’s pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn recently opposed the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and aid measures for Ukraine, using the oil dispute with Ukraine as a pretext.