Kyiv [Ukraine], June 17: Researchers warn the role of atomic weapons is now becoming more prominent and nuclear states are modernizing their arsenals amid deteriorating geopolitical relations globally.
In its annual report published on June 17, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ) also warned that diplomatic efforts to control nuclear weapons are experiencing a serious setback, while world relations The world is more tense because of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza .
"We have not seen nuclear weapons play such a prominent role in world relations since the Cold War," said Wilfred Wan, Director of SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Program. .
The research institute noted that in February 2023, Russia announced it would stop participating in the New Strategic Strike Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) signed in 2010. This is the only remaining agreement that can limit nuclear forces. US-Russia strategic cause.
SIPRI also recalled Russia's strategic nuclear weapons drills near the Ukrainian border in May.
In addition, the informal agreement between the US and Iran signed in June 2023 related to Tehran's nuclear program was reversed after the conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces broke out in Gaza last October. .
According to SIPRI, the world's nine nuclear-armed nations are continuing to modernize their arsenals, and some countries are deploying weapons equipped with or possibly equipped with nuclear warheads in 2023.
The group of 9 countries includes the US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.
In January of this year, of the estimated 12,121 nuclear warheads present around the world, about 9,585 were in storage and about 2,100 were kept ready for use on ballistic missiles, according to SIPRI.
Almost all warheads on high alert belong to Russia and the United States, the two countries that own nearly 90% of nuclear weapons. However, China is believed to be keeping a few warheads in this state for the first time.
SIPRI Director Dan Smith said the number of nuclear warheads waiting for use is increasing every year, and the trend will probably continue to accelerate in the coming years. He called this an "extremely worrying" development.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper