JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Viktorovich Grushko assessed that the strengthening of nuclear potential carried out by Britain and France could trigger an arms race and be contrary to the objectives of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In an interview with RIA Novosti, the diplomat said France's new doctrinal approach in many ways resembles the United States' "extended nuclear deterrent" concept in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Grushko, this shows that the two openly expressed plans to become "supporters of a joint nuclear mission".
"These steps are consistent with the general pattern of provocative military-nuclear activities by NATO countries, which are directed against our country," he said, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, April 21.
Grushko said Britain had previously announced an increase in its nuclear capabilities, also under an anti-Russian slogan.
"This in itself leads to an increase in the arms race, which is not only contrary to the goals of the NPT, but also directly contradicts the obligations under the agreement," Grushko explained.
He also criticized France's policy, which was considered to reduce the transparency of the number of nuclear warheads and open the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in the territory of the European Union countries and other NATO members.
The French government, according to Grushko, assessed that the policy could strengthen national and allied security.
"However, in reality, this step actually increases strategic risks and triggers a new nuclear arms race, which has an impact on regional and global security," he said.
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