In 2023, compared to 2022, global nuclear weapons costs increased by 10 billion euros. This is stated in the report of the International Campaign to Abandon Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

According to a Swedish think tank, the world's nine nuclear-weapon states have continued to modernize their arsenals over the past five years. This is due to the recent use of this weapon as a deterrent in modern wars.

"Not since the Cold War have nuclear weapons played such an important role in international relations," said Wilfred Wan, director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

In particular, nine nuclear power plants spent a total of 85.4 billion euros on their arsenals in 2023. The disarmament advocacy group said the figures show a €10 billion increase in global spending in 2023 compared to 2022, with the United States accounting for 80 percent of the increase ($51.5 billion).

The second place is occupied by China ($11.8 billion), and the third place by Russia ($8.3 billion).

"This money is not being used to improve global security, but to threaten people's lives," said ICAN Research Coordinator Sanders-Zackre.

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