SOFIA, November 27. /TASS/. Ukraine can assemble a "dirty bomb" but it won’t get a regular nuclear weapon, Bulgarian international relations analyst Boyan Chukov said.
"The ambiguous statements of politicians, who have a certain weight, and numerous fantasies of journalists, who interpret their statements, create tension. But if we consider the situation objectively, we can say that the fears are exaggerated. It is technically impossible to provide regular nuclear weapons to Ukraine. But what is quite possible is manufacturing a ‘dirty bomb’ in Ukraine from a ready-made set of necessary materials with the direct participation of Western specialists. But Russia will not listen to such threats indifferently and is obviously preparing a proportionate response, as it was in the situation with the use of the Oreshnik," he told TASS.
According to the analyst, some Western politicians don’t take seriously these warnings from Russia about a proportionate response.
"However, competent politicians and professional military officers get it right. It could backfire to threaten Russia, the largest country with nuclear weapons and unique means of their delivery," Chukov said.
On 21 November, the New York Times reported that some US and European officials suggested giving back to Ukraine the nuclear weapons that Kiev gave up after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the newspaper said the move would be hard to pull off, and if made, could entail serious consequences.