CND Press Digest: Wednesday 1st March 2023

War In Ukraine/NATO

• Finnish MPs will vote this afternoon on speeding up its ascension process to NATO. It comes as Finnish border guards start work on beefing up its infrastructurealong the border with Russia – over fears Moscow could weaponise mass migration across their shared 1,340km frontier.
• An exiled Belarusian opposition group has laid claim to an attack on a Russian spy plane, in a recent drone attack outside Minsk. It comes as Vladimir Putin tells the FSB security service to step up efforts to counter sabotage operations.
• NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenburg said Ukraine will become a member of the alliance “long-term”, but will need to remain “independent” for the duration of its war against Russia.

New START

• Vladimir Putin formally suspended Russia’s participation in the New START agreement with the US. The bill was quickly ratified by both Russian houses of parliament on Tuesday and comes into force with immediate effect. The document notes that it is up to the president to decide if the suspension is lifted.

Nuclear Testing

• The Daily Star takes a look at the Soviet-era test of its biggest ever nuclear weapons - the Tsar Bomba.

Iran Nuclear Deal

• The Guardian on growing pressure within western countries to respond to concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
• The Independent on concerns within Germany and Israel about allegations that Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons grade.
• A US official has claimed that Iran could produce enough fissile material for one nuclear bomb in under two weeks.

CND

• CND’s beer mat crowdfunder is live ahead of a full launch on Friday. Supporters can donate so regional groups can purchase and distribute “Beer Not Bombs” beer mats to local pubs and engage their communities in discussions on nuclear disarmament.
• Middle East Eye reports on a leaked email between Labour official Alex Mitchell and a London-based constituency – which provides evidence that progressive organisations are being sidelined by the party’s leadership. It confirmed local branches are not allowed to affiliate to certain organisation without the approval of the party’s ruling executive – including Labour CND, Stop the War Coalition, PSC, and and Jewish Voice for Labour.

Best,

Pádraig McCarrick

Press and Communications Officer

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament