UN chief sounds alarm over growing nuclear threat

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced profound concern over the escalating danger of nuclear weapons being deployed in current global tensions.

The warning came from Guterres's official representative, Stéphane Dujarric, who addressed the media during a recent briefing, following revelations about a secret US strategic nuclear plan focused on countering China’s expanding military capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

According to Dujarric, the Secretary-General is "extremely concerned about the serious risk of nuclear weapons use."

Dujarric highlighted the UN's strong advocacy for "dialogue and diplomacy" as essential tools for mitigating these risks and preventing a catastrophic escalation.

The context of Guterres's concern stems from reports by a prominent US newspaper that President Joe Biden had, in March, approved a classified strategic plan that outlines the need to deter China, whose nuclear arsenal is reportedly growing. This plan marks a significant shift in US defence policy, explicitly acknowledging China as a key focus for nuclear deterrence for the first time.

Moreover, the document reveals that Biden has also instructed US military planners to prepare for potential nuclear conflicts with Russia, China, and North Korea, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the current global security environment.