ANTI-nuclear activist groups are voicing their condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and highlighted possible threats of nuclear action from the Kremlin.
The Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has urged the UK Government not to engage in the use of force to counter Russian actions, while highlighting the risk of creating chaos and “nuclear misadventure” among Ukraine’s 15 nuclear power stations.
The group has also called for the need to respect international human rights law and for states to remember their peaceable commitments.
READ MORE: Russian invasion: UK fails to set up route for Ukrainians as thousands flee
They said: “We urge respect for international humanitarian and human rights law and accession, and compliance with international treaties to reduce nuclear weapons risks, including the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
“Nuclear weapons do not deter conflict but make the world more dangerous, elevating the risk of a massive humanitarian catastrophe.”
The group also urged the Scottish public to come forward and help the Ukrainian people in any way that they can.
They said: “We ask people in Scotland to help find ways of providing humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine and of enhancing dialogue with people in the Ukraine and Russia.
“The international community must stand united in ensuring that we protect and support civilians, and Scotland must strongly reject the violations of international law by Russia and the disregard for Ukraine's sovereignty as an independent state.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: 'Not time for half measures' in Ukraine after Russia strikes Kyiv
Earlier this week, Putin warned western states from interfering with his hostile takeover of Ukraine as Russian forces continue to ravage the country.
He said: "No matter who tries to stand in our way … Russia will respond immediately, and the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history.”
Pressure groups have construed this as a “thinly-veiled threat to use nuclear weapons” and have cited recent strategic nuclear exercises for cause for severe concern.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons said: “This amount to threats to use nuclear weapons, as prohibited under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is clear from his words and actions that the use of nuclear weapons is always on the table and the risk of nuclear weapons use is increasing.”
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