Russian Nuclear Power Minister: Modern Nuclear Weapons Guarantee Peace

It is modern nuclear weapons that at present are a deterrent making it possible to preserve peace, said Russian Nuclear Power Minister Alexander Rumyantsev in a conversation with journalists on Friday. It is necessary to continue scientific research and development in the sphere, which will ensure Russia's nuclear security in the future, he pointed out.

Five countries have now acquired nuclear weapons, Rumyantsev said. They are Russia, the USA, China, France and Great Britain. India and Pakistan also have nuclear weapons and, according to some information, Israel also has such weapons at its disposal. It is impossible to receive reliable information about other countries that may have acquired nuclear weapons, he said.

Many countries have uranium ore deposits, "but it does not mean that these countries will create their own nuclear bomb", the minister emphasised. For example, some uranium ore deposits are situated in Iran, but at present this country does not have the necessary scientific and technical potential to produce nuclear weapons, he believes.