Ukraine may create nuclear bomb in 10 years - experts

[bananas]

http://en.itar-tass.com/world/749875

Ukraine may create nuclear bomb in 10 years - experts

Russian experts say Ukrainian Defence Minister's provocative statement on creation of weapons of mass destruction should be taken seriously

MOSCOW, September 17. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine which has large uranium deposits, nuclear power plants and the ability to enrich nuclear fuel as well as enterprises which produced ballistic missiles in the Soviet times may create a nuclear bomb in ten years, Izvestia daily reported on Wednesday with reference to the opinion of Russian experts.

“Ukrainian Defence Minister Valery Geletei’s statement that Ukraine may regain the status of a nuclear power and create weapons of mass destruction is a provocation, but this should be taken seriously,” the daily quoted deputy chairman of Russia’s lower house State Duma defence committee Frants Klintsevich as saying, noting that “This cannot be forgotten that science in Ukraine has always been developed and there won't be any problems creating a nuclear bomb.”

Klintsevich recalled that the neighbouring country had 17 nuclear power units not designed for enrichment.

“If they assign several nuclear power units for the purpose and will get down to resolve this task the process will take quite a long period of time. But they will cope with it for ten years,” the lawmaker believed, noting that “It is very strange if Europe will not give any response to such statements. Double standards became normal for them and this may end deplorably for all.”

<snip>

On September 14, Ukrainian Defence Minister Valery Geletei stated the possibility to develop nuclear weapons, if the West refuses to help Ukraine: “If we cannot protect (Ukraine) today, if the world does not help us, we will have to return to creation of these weapons to protect ourselves from Russia.”

This is quite illustrative that “officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US ambassador in Ukraine refused to comment on possible after-effects of Ukraine’s turning in a nuclear power.

[Duckhunter935]

1. gee, I wonder why

They voluntarily gave up their nukes under the Budapest agreement that their borders would be respected and the signing powers would help if they were attacked.

Russia, one of the signers attacked and annexed part of Ukraine. They have given arms and are sending soldiers into east Ukraine to annex that area of Ukraine. The other signers are not helping per the agreement. Get the nukes back and they will have a much bigger deterrent capability. 10 years might be too long.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

2. Russia is in blatant violation of the Budapest Memorandum

Since they unilaterally decided to break it, its terms obviously no longer apply. Russians seem to think their actions have no consequences.

[Igel]

3. Perhaps.

Probably not.

Russia isn't really in a position where a non-subjective "objective" evaluation of Ukraine is expected. Ukraine's fascist, but too given to modern liberal trends. It's too European. It's too decadent and heretical. It's too powerful, even though its economy is a trifle and its military was allowed to decay. It's dangerous and Russia must beef up the borders to prevent invasion ... even as Russia trounces the un-updated Ukrainian defenses.

Russia says it's the only country that could reduce DC to ashes, but Heletei's comment is to be feared. It's the only country invading another in Eastern Europe, while Russia says it could be in Kiev in a couple of hours and take Budapest and Warsaw with no problem, but it's Ukraine's belligerent military that is a danger to mankind.

One test of self-awareness is to show a creature its own reflection. Most animals assume that the reflection is not of itself but of some other (scentless, presumably) animal. Humans and some other primates see their reflection and recognize themselves in it.

Putin does not. He holds up a mirror and sees a belligerent, nationalistic, imperialistic, paranoid country that has little regard for human rights and says, "Ukraine!" Or some other country that he so wants to be evil and in need of his tough love.

This is either a pretense that fools dabbling with mental illness believe to be true or evidence that Putin has brain damage (since some brain damage can lead to a false negative on this self-awareness test).

[Fearless]

4. And? Bully doesn't like a challenge huh.

[Nitram]

5. Oh, here we go again with the anti-Ukranian propaganda.

Raising the specter of the mushroom cloud reminds me of the Bush administration's use of that bogeyman to get us into the Iraq war.