France calls Russian allegations of nuclear transfers to Ukraine baseless

PARIS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - France hit back on Thursday over what it called baseless Russian accusations that Ukraine was seeking a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb with help from London or Paris, calling it the latest example of Russian disinformation.

In a statement published on the fourth anniversary of the war, Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service said Britain and France believed that Ukraine would be able to secure more favourable terms if Kyiv possessed "a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called 'dirty bomb'". It did not include documentary evidence to back its assertion.

"This baseless statement from the SVR 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 Defence, told reporters on Thursday.

"The Russian Federation frequently resorts to disinformation to foster a climate of mistrust toward the actions taken by France and its partners in support of Ukraine. This latest attempt is a perfect illustration of that."

Penichou said Paris had always honoured its international commitments, particularly those related to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

France also hit back at comments by Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, who said that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the war.

"It is Russia that is prolonging it. It has the escalatory attitude with its violations of air space and in general its aggression since February 2024," French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux said. Paris has also said it could send troops in the event of a ceasefire.