In Light of Russian Aggression, King Questions Top Nuclear Official on Status of Global Non-Proliferation Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces with jurisdiction over the United States’ nuclear arsenal, expressed concern that the war in Ukraine may erode support for nuclear non-proliferation efforts worldwide, and pressed a top Biden administration official for her assessment of the situation. In a hearing to examine the state of America’s nuclear activities and posture, King asked Jill M. Hruby – Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and

Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration – if Putin’s aggression will make global non-proliferation efforts more challenging by pushing nations to reconsider surrendering their nuclear weapons as Ukraine did in 1994 through the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. Senator King also questioned Administrator Hruby on how the National Nuclear Security Administration is monitoring and addressing these shifting dynamics.

“Let me change the subject for a minute to non-proliferation. One of the things that’s not discussed much with regard to the Ukraine war is that Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for territorial integrity, which was signed by Russia,” said Strategic Forces Chairman King. “What has happened to the whole theory and practice of non-proliferation? If you’re Kim in North Korea would you give up your nuclear weapons having seen what's happened in Ukraine?”

"Senator King, this is an important question. The Ukraine guarantees, you know, people will look at around the world, I’m confident of that. At the same time, we will do everything we can in NNSA to uphold the non-proliferation regime that we have today,” replied Administrator Hruby. “We’ll reach out, and we are reaching out, to our allies and partners and particularly the allies that we have a guarantee with to make sure they understand how strong our commitment to that guarantee is. We will continue to support activities in the non-proliferation area, but we must step it up in our ability to convince people around the world that nuclear weapons are not the best approach. And hopefully not take the wrong lessons from Ukraine.”

“Well, I hope you’re right, but I think it’s a significant concern,” concluded Chairman King.

As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Strategic Forces – which oversees the United States’ nuclear arsenal and posture – Senator King has worked to enhance the United States’ nuclear security, strengthen our nuclear deterrent, and stop the spread of these devastating weapons around the globe. His concerns over nuclear weapons has led him to refer to Vladimir Putin as “the single most dangerous man in world history”, given the Russian leader’s military ambitions and significant nuclear arsenal.

Senator King has been an outspoken voice on the need to address the growing nuclear capacity of our adversaries, and a strong advocate for the importance of non-proliferation efforts. Last year, Senator King convened a hearing of top nuclear experts to talk through the strengths and weaknesses of U.S.’s current nuclear posture. During the hearing, he pressed witnesses on topics including nuclear modernization, deterrence, and the role of nuclear weapons in protecting America’s allies worldwide.