Russia Demands Britain End Nuclear Defense of Europe

The United Kingdom is the only European country that uses its nuclear-armed submarines for NATO’s overall defense.

Russia is demanding that Britain give up the ability to use its nuclear arsenal to defend other European countries, a proposal included in a list of demands drawn up by Russian negotiators for talks on ending the war in Ukraine, The Telegraph reports .

Illustration of multiple red-tipped nuclear missiles against a blue sky with clouds

The publication recalled that the United Kingdom is the only European country that deploys its nuclear-armed submarines for NATO’s overall defense. Recently, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the continent’s security is not up for negotiation with Russia.

It is noted that the Russian side’s program document calls on NATO to withdraw its troops from Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, expel Finland from the alliance, and commit not to sending troops to Ukraine. Allegedly, only after this will Russian dictator Vladimir Putin consider a ceasefire.

The document also calls for a halt to the supply of Western weapons, military equipment, and products to Ukraine. Separately, Moscow demands that Ukraine’s membership in NATO not be ruled out.

The publication also added that Russia wants to retain control over the occupied territories of Ukraine after the war. In exchange, Moscow could approve Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, but on condition that the country be excluded from the bloc’s overall defense policy.

(C)UNIAN 2026