"Responsible statesmen have only one choice - to do everything possible to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Any other position is short-sighted; more so, it is suicidal"

In this quote, Yuri Andropov, a previous Soviet statesman, emphasizes the importance of preventing a nuclear catastrophe. He states that responsible statesmen have no other option but to do whatever in their power to prevent such a catastrophic event. Andropov believes that any other stance, such as overlooking the hazard or minimizing its severity, is not only short-sighted however also self-destructive. He suggests that the effects of a nuclear catastrophe would be ravaging and could potentially lead to the destruction of entire nations. Andropov's words work as a warning to leaders to focus on the prevention of a nuclear disaster above all else, as the effects of inactiveness could be fatal.