Spain’s PM Slams Nuclear Arms Build-Up as Repeating Past Mistakes
During his remarks, Sanchez voiced alarm over the renewed buildup of nuclear arsenals and appealed to atomic-armed nations to pursue a fresh Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. The previous START agreement lapsed on February 5, leaving the United States and Russia without enforceable limits on their strategic nuclear stockpiles.
"The world is becoming more unstable, and we Europeans must strengthen our defense capabilities," said Sanchez.
Although he acknowledged the growing volatility of the international landscape and the need for Europe to reinforce its defense posture, he stressed that expanding nuclear stockpiles is not an appropriate path toward safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial borders, or long-term security.
"Treaties were signed and nuclear arsenals were dramatically reduced, but now the tide is turning," he warned.
Reflecting on earlier decades of arms control progress, Sanchez noted that prior agreements had significantly reduced nuclear stockpiles. However, he suggested that recent developments indicate a reversal of that trend.
Sanchez added: "Nuclear powers have forgotten the lessons of the past, and they are expanding their nuclear arsenals once again."
He also highlighted the immense financial burden tied to nuclear programs, pointing out that nuclear-armed states collectively allocate more than $11 million per hour to maintain and enhance their arsenals. According to expert estimates he referenced, the United States alone is projected to spend $946 billion on nuclear weapons over the coming decade—an amount he described as sufficient to address extreme poverty worldwide.
"In my view, this is a mistake, a historical error that we cannot commit again, particularly not today, with artificial intelligence casting a shadow of uncertainty over the entire world."
Sanchez urged nuclear-armed countries to reverse course and return to the negotiating table.
Sanchez called on nuclear nations to "stop nuclear rearmament, sit down, negotiate and sign a new START treaty" to ensure continuity of the one that just expired.
Emphasizing the need for unity and strategic discipline, he concluded by underlining that deterrence must be handled carefully and collaboratively.
"We need to stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we need to strengthen our deterrence capabilities, but let us do it in a coordinated and targeted way that we can control," he added.
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