France calls Russia's claims about Ukrainian 'dirty bomb' baseless

France has dismissed Russian accusations that Ukraine is allegedly seeking to obtain nuclear weapons or a "dirty bomb" with help from London or Paris as unfounded.

That is according to Reuters, citing a statement from the French Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

"This baseless statement from the SVR [Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service] has been picked up by various Russian propaganda outlets on X and by some foreign news agencies," Olivia Penichou, communications director at the French Ministry of Defense, said, adding that this is the latest example of Russian disinformation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier described the nuclear threats voiced by Russia in recent days as political pressure ahead of the trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

The United Kingdom also rejected Russia's accusations that Britain and France allegedly intend to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. The claims came after Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service accused the United Kingdom and France of planning to supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons or a "dirty bomb," without presenting any evidence.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev later said that if this were the case, Russia could use nuclear weapons against the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and France "if necessary."

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