In June 1993, the Russian General Staff warned of escalating tensions over the unresolved status of the Black Sea Fleet (ChF), driven by Ukraine's territorial claims over Crimea and control of fleet assets. Disputes over the division of the fleet and its infrastructure, compounded by Ukrainian efforts to assert authority over ChF personnel and facilities, risked destabilizing regional security. The memo advised that Russia should push firmly for joint control of fleet infrastructure and, if necessary, question Crimea's 1954 transfer to Ukraine, while using diplomatic efforts to highlight the risks of ongoing deadlock.

In this interview, Dr. Ira Helfand discusses his journey into nuclear disarmament activism, initially sparked by concerns about nuclear power's public health risks. He advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons as an urgent necessity, citing the extreme danger they pose to global security and human survival. Helfand describes the limitations civil society faces, particularly in the U.S., where public and governmental attention on nuclear threats has waned since the Cold War. He emphasizes the need for a reinvigorated grassroots movement and coordinated international action, referencing successful efforts by organizations like ICAN to foster global awareness.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

In this interview, Oliver Meier discusses his career and views on nuclear policy, sharing how his experience spans both peace research and security policy. He emphasizes the enduring power dynamics created by nuclear weapons, which he believes destabilize global politics by increasing divisions and complicating cooperation. Meier advocates for civil society to pressure for nuclear abolition while also pursuing practical risk-reduction steps, given the challenges of immediate disarmament. Looking ahead, he expresses hope for a future where international relations can be organized without nuclear deterrence, although he acknowledges this shift will require significant political, rather than technical, change.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

Kohl and Gorbachev confer on the state of reforms in the Soviet Union, Western financial assistance and preparations for Gorbachev's participation in the World Economic Summit in London later in July. In addition, they discuss European security, EC enlargement and the potential enlargement of NATO.

Eran Lerman is a former Israeli intelligence officer. He served as a member of the Israeli delegation to ACRS. 

Aly Erfan is a former Egyptian diplomat. He served as a member of the Egyptian delegation to ACRS. 

Shimon Stein is a former Israeli diplomat. He served as a member of the Israeli delegation to ACRS. 

Daniel Poneman was director of Defense Policy and Arms Control at the National Security Council. He served as a member of the US delegation to ACRS.

Michael Moodie is a former US diplomat. He served as a member of the US delegation to ACRS. 

Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer is a former US diplomat. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Near East Bureau at the US Department of State during the ACRS process, the coordinator of the multilateral peace talks following the Madrid peace conference, and the U.S. representative in the multilateral Steering Group .