If Ukraine ever needed nuclear deterrence, creative solutions exist beyond domestic development, hints Amir Weitmann, chairman of the liberals in the Israeli-governing Likud Party.
While Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in 1994 in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the UK, and the US under the Budapest Memorandum, Russia’s full-scale invasion has sparked debates about nuclear deterrence options.
“Instead of nuclear proliferation, think creatively – go grab them with the launchers from Belarus where Russians deployed them,” Weitmann told Euromaidan Press in an exclusive interview.
Putin is unlikely to use nuclear weapons himself, Weitmann argues, knowing that America, France, and Britain have superior nuclear capabilities and delivery systems targeting Moscow and St. Petersburg.
“Putin must understand personally that using nuclear weapons means death for him, his family, friends, and entire regime,” he said. Weitmann also suggested maintaining an online database of Putin regime figures’ locations.
Weitmann emphasized that Ukraine and Israel face the same adversaries – a coalition of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran with their proxies. “Russia needs to be punished. Putin’s regime must learn that aggression has consequences,” he said.
While Israel’s government remains cautious about supporting Ukraine, fearing Russian retaliation, Weitmann advocates for a stronger position, having previously told RT that Russia would “pay for everything it’s doing.”
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