The idea of nuclear weapons as a peacekeeping deterrent has been widely debated for years, and now President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised a provocative proposal for Ukraine's security in the face of uncertainty over NATO membership.
In a recent interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Zelensky suggested that if NATO membership is not immediately possible, the United States could provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons to protect itself from Russian aggression.
He acknowledged that Ukraine's path to NATO could take years or even decades and questioned what would ensure the country's safety in the meantime. His response (plan B, so to speak) is nuclear weapons.
While Zelensky recognized that military aid and missile systems could offer some support, he argued they wouldn't be enough to counter Russia's threat. He proposed that nuclear arms and missile systems could provide a more effective deterrent, allowing Ukraine to defend its sovereignty without needing NATO membership.
The president also pointed out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was driven by fears of NATO expansion, suggesting that if Ukraine remains outside the alliance, Russian President Vladimir Putin must withdraw from occupied territories.
While it is debatable whether these were Russia's initial motivations, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but it is clear that the concept that nuclear weapons bring peace through deterrence will continue to be a subject of debate.