CND Press Digest: Tuesday 31st January 2023

Posted: 2nd February 2023

War in Ukraine / NATO

Joe Biden Reuters: “Russia told the United States on Monday that the last remaining pillar of bilateral nuclear arms control could expire in 2026 without a replacement due to what it said were US efforts to inflict ‘strategic defeat’ on Moscow in Ukraine.
Russia’s RIA news agency reported Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who claimed efforts to create a safety zone around Zaporizhzhia were being impacted by Ukrainian stalling.
The Telegraph with a column on why the West must face down Putin’s nuclear threats. Some wishful thinking by the writer here?: “The Russian leader’s increasingly erratic behaviour is not a reason for the West to back down. If nothing else, the actual state of the Russian nuclear arsenal is unknown. The flaws in Russia’s conventional capabilities highlighted throughout the past twelve months, and in particular the poor maintenance of equipment and its low serviceability, have raised the prospect of there being significant gaps in Moscow’s nuclear capability – and its credibility as a threat.”
Beyond Nuclear on the looming threats around Ukrainian nuclear plants as the conflict approaches its first anniversary.
The Bulletin has a piece from Alexander Kmentt who reflects on two years of the TPNW at a time when the invasion of Ukraine has helped put nuclear threats at an all time high.

Trident

The Royal Navy has launched an investigation amid reports contractors working on the nuclear sub HMS Vanguard, used superglue to fix broken bolts in the vessel’s nuclear reactor. News item on the issue will be on the CND website later today.

AUKUS

Australia’s ABC on concerns for the AUKUS pact, after the US Navy “abruptly suspended submarine repair work at four West Coast dry docks.” It comes amid previous concerns from US lawmakers that US navy industrial capacity would be unable to provide nuclear-powered subs to Australia without it hurting its own naval capabilities.
Sky News Australia picks up on comments from UK defence select committee chair Tobias Ellwood, calling for the expansion of AUKUS to include India and Japan.
A lovers tiff between France and Australia seems to be mended, after the pair announced a defence cooperation deal to manufacture and supply Ukraine with artillery shells. Defense and foreign ministers from both countries met in France on Monday for 2 + 2 meetings – marking a turn in fortunes after Australia unceremoniously dumped a submarine contract with the French in favour of AUKUS.

Iran