
The European Union today called on Russia to refrain from nuclear threats and avoid actions that would trigger a new arms race.
Asked to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to resume nuclear tests, European Commission foreign policy spokesman Anwar El Anouani responded that it was a statement that went in the wrong direction and stressed that "Russia should refrain from steps that could negatively affect the limitation of the use of nuclear weapons."
The Commission spokesperson reiterated:
"Russia must adhere to its international obligations and commitments, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Together with the five nuclear-weapon states, Russia has agreed and recommitted to the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be waged."
And further he added:
"The EU calls on Russia to refrain from nuclear threats and on all parties involved to avoid actions that could trigger a new arms race, as such behavior undermines global stability and the hard-won progress achieved in nuclear arms reduction since the end of the Cold War," the Commission spokesperson concluded.