Most Ukrainians support renewing country’s nuclear arsenal — Poll
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Most Ukrainians support renewing the country’s nuclear
arsenal, which was given up in 1994 as part of the Budapest Memorandum,
according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS)
published on Dec. 23.
However, sociologists note that support for this idea varies
depending on potential consequences for the country, such as losing Western
support or facing sanctions.
The survey results show the overall opinion of Ukrainians on
renewing the country’s nuclear arsenal:
- 73% support the idea.
- 20% oppose it.
- 7% were undecided.
KIIS also reported that if Ukraine has enough resources to
withstand until the nuclear arsenal is restored, 58% of respondents are willing
to accept the loss of support. Meanwhile, 33% strongly oppose such a scenario.
Sociologists highlight that most respondents across all
regions — from 61% in the East to 77% in the West — generally support Ukraine
renewing its nuclear potential.
KIIS also noted that respondents’ trust in NATO does not
conflict with the desire to restore the nuclear arsenal. “In fact, those who
trust NATO are the most likely to want nuclear weapons back,” the sociologists
said.
The survey was conducted from Dec. 2 to Dec. 17. KIIS
employees interviewed 2,000 respondents, aged 18 and older, through random
mobile phone sampling.
The Budapest Memorandum (Memorandum on Security
Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) is an international agreement signed on
Dec. 5, 1994, between Ukraine, the U.S., Russia, and the UK.
The document, signed after Ukraine voluntarily gave up
its nuclear weapons in the early 1990s, came into effect upon signing. In 1995,
the U.N. General Assembly approved it as an official document binding on all
participants.
According to KIIS, in mid-1994, 50% of Ukrainians
believed the country should be nuclear-free, while 30% supported owning nuclear
weapons. The remaining 20% had undecided views.
Ukraine’s nuclear weapons possible return
On Oct. 18, President Zelenskyy stated that European
partners have no alternative to Ukraine’s NATO membership, which is the first
point of the victory plan. This is partly because Ukraine gave up its nuclear
arsenal as part of the Budapest Memorandum.
On Nov. 19, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed an
updated nuclear doctrine emphasizing Russia’s intent to “take all necessary
efforts to reduce the nuclear threat.” The document also noted that one of its
goals is to prevent escalating international tensions that could lead to “military
conflicts, including nuclear ones.”
On Dec. 1, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said
the Biden administration is not considering the option of returning nuclear
weapons to Ukraine. “This is not being considered. No, we are providing Ukraine
with various conventional forces and means to defend itself and push back
against the Russians, not nuclear forces and means,” Sullivan said.
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