CND Press Digest: Thursday 23rd February 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• The Bulletin on Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the New START treaty.
• Speaking during a meeting with NATO’s eastern members, Joe Biden called Russia’s suspension of New START a “big mistake.”
• START.
• The Telegraph picks up on reports by US officials that Russia attempted and failed a test launch of the Satan II nuclear missile, during Joe Biden’s recent trip to Kyiv.
• Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Moscow will be closely monitoring US actionsand will consider taking “further countermeasures” if necessary.
• Putin will use a speech on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion to say Russia will continue to boost and modernize its nuclear forces.
• Reuters has some START has dashed hopes of getting China to revisit its own growing nuclear arsenal. 
• Associated Press on what lies ahead for the war in Ukraine as it enters its second year.

Trident / UK Defence

• Britain’s newest Astute-class nuclear sub, HMS Anson, has arrived at its base at Faslane.
• A war of words has broken out between defence ministers over the state of MoD funding. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer said earlier claims by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, that Britain’s armed forces were hollowed out, just weren’t “credible.” Wallace has since fired back, saying Mercer was a junior defence minister who “luckily doesn’t have to run a budget.”

UK Nuclear Energy

• The new CEO at Rolls Royce is hoping to turn around the company’s financial fortunes, with small modular reactors to feature as a key part of the strategy. Speaking on SMRs, Tufan Erginbilgicsaid: “There needs to be a sense of urgency and it is important that we engage with the UK government. We have built a very capable team and I believe being a first move is important because we are not in isolation here, there is competition from elsewhere. There needs to be a sense of urgency and it is important that we engage with the UK government. We have built a very capable team and I believe being a first move is important because we are not in isolation here, there is competition from elsewhere.”

Nuclear Energy

• Hungary’s foreign minister said sanctions on Russia’s nuclear industry would harm Hungary’s interests - as he called for the EU to shelve plans to sanction the industry.

North Korea

• AP on North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal.

Iran Nuclear Deal

• Iran has acknowledged reports that uranium found by UN nuclear inspectors was enriched to 84 percent - near weapons grade.
• Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and his government is reportedly drawing up plans to strike Iranian nuclear installations.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament