“This Is Not Fiction”: Richard Branson Warns of Nuclear Fallout from Russia’s Aggression in Ukraine

Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson, in his latest blog post titled “This Is Not Fiction,” warns of the far-reaching global repercussions stemming from Russia’s violation of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. This treaty, signed by Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, promised to guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for the country surrendering its nuclear arsenal.

Branson stated that Russia’s actions undermine not only Ukraine but also global disarmament efforts and multilateral diplomacy.

“Russia’s complete disregard for the Budapest Memorandum doesn’t just cast a dark shadow on Ukraine’s future,” Branson emphasized. “It’s also a slap in the face of multilateral institutions and their difficult work to negotiate complex agreements, particularly when it comes to disarmament.”

He emphasized that Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have irreparably damaged the trust placed in international agreements like the Budapest Memorandum. Branson questioned the broader implications for global security: “After seeing what happened to Ukraine, which country in possession of nuclear weapons… will ever agree to give up its arsenal again?”

Calling for immediate action, Branson urged world leaders to defend the rule of law and enforce agreements like the Budapest Memorandum. Without such efforts, he warned, the international community risks descending into chaos and an arms race that could destabilize the world for generations.

“The rule of law is under attack, and it must be defended through both words and actions,” he concluded.