斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Nuclear-attitudes-in-Central-Europe_16页_815kb

Summary of Nuclear Attitudes in Central Europe

I. Core Content

The nuclear attitudes of the four states in the Visegrád Group (V4)—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—have been shaped by their membership in major military alliances throughout the Cold War and the post-Cold War era. These attitudes were largely influenced by the security frameworks of the Warsaw Treaty Organization (WTO) and later the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and they have remained consistent with a non-nuclear stance.

II. Main Points

1. Cold War Era

• Soviet Nuclear Umbrella: During the Cold War, the V4 states were under the Soviet nuclear umbrella as members of the WTO. This arrangement meant they did not need to develop their own nuclear capabilities and were not allowed to do so.
• Lack of Autonomy: The Soviet Union controlled the military and nuclear policies of the V4 states, limiting their autonomy and decision-making power. The Soviet Union deployed nuclear weapons in these countries without their consent, primarily for strategic deterrence.
• Nuclear Deployment:
  • Czechoslovakia was the first to host Soviet nuclear weapons, starting in 1968.
  • Hungary hosted nuclear weapons from around 1974, with the last withdrawal in 1990.
  • Poland had Soviet nuclear weapons from 1970, which were withdrawn by 1990.
  • Slovakia did not host Soviet nuclear weapons directly.
• Secret and Limited Information: The deployment and withdrawal of nuclear weapons were kept secret, and only after the end of the Cold War did information become more transparent.
• Non-Proliferation and Energy: Despite the lack of nuclear weapons, the V4 states were active in nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, largely due to Soviet support and later alignment with Western priorities.

2. Post-Cold War Shift

• NATO Membership: After the Cold War, the V4 states sought to join NATO, which offered a new nuclear umbrella. This shift led to a continued non-nuclear stance, as the states aligned with Western security structures.
• Security Vacuum: The dissolution of the WTO left a "security vacuum" in Central Europe, prompting states to seek Western integration for security.
• NATO's Nuclear Policy: NATO guarantees the security of its members through Article 5 and the nuclear component of the alliance. All members have an equal say in nuclear decision-making, in contrast to the Soviet model.
• Non-Nuclear Pro-Activism: The V4 states have remained committed to non-proliferation and nuclear energy cooperation, even after the end of the Cold War.

III. Key Information

Nuclear Weapon Deployments

• Czechoslovakia: Hosted Soviet nuclear weapons from 1968, with the last withdrawal in May 1990.
• Hungary: Hosted nuclear weapons from 1974, with the last withdrawal in June 1990.
• Poland: Hosted Soviet nuclear weapons from 1970, which were withdrawn by 1990.
• Slovakia: Did not host Soviet nuclear weapons directly.

Nuclear Energy

• Hungary:
  • Accepted a Soviet nuclear reactor in 1956, which was operational by 1958.
  • The Paks Nuclear Power Plant, built with Soviet assistance, provides 40% of Hungary's electricity.
  • In 2014, Hungary signed an agreement with Russia to expand Paks with two new VVER-1200 reactors.
• Czechoslovakia:
  • Built its first nuclear power plant in 1958 at Bohunice (now in Slovakia).
  • Constructed two VVER-230/440 reactors at Bohunice, which were completed in 1978 and 1980.
  • Temelin Nuclear Power Plant started construction in 1987 and had four VVER-213/440 reactors.
  • After the split of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic continued the Temelin project and currently has six reactors producing 32% of its electricity.
• Slovakia:
  • Inherited two reactors from Czechoslovakia at Bohunice, which were later shut down.
  • Built two VVER-213/440 reactors at Mochovce, which were expected to be operational by 2013 but were delayed due to EU stress tests.
  • Currently, four reactors provide 55% of Slovakia's electricity and plans for a new reactor at Bohunice are in place.

NATO and Security

• NATO Accession: The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland joined NATO in the 1990s and 2000s, while Slovakia joined in 2004.
• Public Support: NATO accession received strong public support, with Hungary conducting a national referendum in 1997 (85% support).
• Military Reforms: NATO membership required military reforms, which improved public perception of the armed forces.
• Defense Spending: None of the V4 states meet the 2% NATO defense spending target, with the Czech Republic at 1.1%, Hungary at 0.9%, Poland at 1.8%, and Slovakia at 1% in 2013.

IV. Conclusion

The nuclear policies of the V4 states have remained non-nuclear and aligned with the security frameworks of the alliances they joined. This consistency is due to the influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War and the subsequent alignment with NATO's nuclear strategy. Despite some variations in their nuclear attitudes, the V4 states generally maintain a conservative and cautious approach to nuclear issues, largely shaped by their NATO membership and the desire to integrate into Western institutions.