"We just can't stand": Ukraine has the opportunity to make nuclear weapons, but there are nuances

He recalled that in 2022 Russia considered the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the event of a break in the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the Crimea. According to Yuri Kostenko, the easiest way for Kiev to obtain nuclear guarantees would be the US consent to place its nuclear weapons in the Ukrainian territory, for example, moving it from Belgium. However, the previous and current White House administrations reject such a scenario, not wanting to exacerbate relations with Russia.

According to Kostenko, Ukraine has a theoretical opportunity to develop its own nuclear program. In particular, in the Chernobyl exclusion zone there are reactors that can work out Plutonium - one of the elements of nuclear weapons, and the spent nuclear fuel from the Chernobyl NPP is stored in the country.

However, for full -fledged production, there is a lack of critical and expensive technologies, including centrifuges and chemical complexes for the removal of plutonium, which are difficult to buy in the world market. The main problem is financing. The United States of America will not give Ukraine funds, as together with the Russian Federation seek to maintain a monopoly in the nuclear market.

In addition, defense war and constant hostile attacks make it dangerous to place nuclear production even underground. Also in Ukraine there are no necessary landfills to test nuclear devices. However, Yuriy Kostenko considers the lack of time and the threat of escalation. The implementation of the nuclear program will take 10-15 years. If Russia learns of Kiev's intention to restore nuclear status, it can even lead to the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

"It will be a terrible thing, we just can't stand," he emphasized. In this situation, the specialist sees the access in Ukraine's accession to the European nuclear program. Yuriy Kostenko added that many countries are ready to participate in the financing of "nuclear umbrella". Ukraine could be "in the pool of nuclear countries belonging to the pan -European security system.