Germany rejects Russian claims that it is developing nuclear weapons

Berlin has said that claims by Russian intelligence that Germany is supposedly preparing to develop nuclear weapons are untrue and part of Russian propaganda.

Source: European Pravda, citing BR24

Details: On 20 July, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that, according to "NATO military experts", Berlin was capable of independently accumulating the necessary fissile material within one to three months and constructing a functioning nuclear explosive device within a year.

A German government spokesperson said that the federal government regarded the report as part of the usual Russian propaganda and that the accusations were simply false.

The spokesperson added that Russia was exploiting nuclear fears that it had itself repeatedly fuelled with its irresponsible statements.

He stressed that Moscow was trying to drive a wedge between NATO and the EU and discredit Germany as Ukraine's strongest ally. Russia might also be seeking to influence public sentiment ahead of state parliament elections in eastern Germany, the spokesperson added.

Background:

• The German Armed Forces will take part in French nuclear exercises for the first time later this year.
• On 16 July, Germany and France put into practice for the first time an agreement on cooperation in nuclear deterrence reached in March by holding joint air force exercises.

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