The United States denounced on Sunday “the cynical obstruction” of Russia that “alone” prevented the adoption of a joint declaration at the UN on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
“After weeks of intense and productive negotiations, Russia has single-handedly decided to block consensus on the final document” at the end of the four-week-long UN NPT review conference, the deputy State Department spokesman said. from USA, Vedant Patel. .
And this with the sole objective of “blocking language elements that only recognized the radiological risks in the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant”, occupied by the Russian army in Ukraine, he said in a press release.
The Zaporizhia power plant, the largest in Europe, was seized by Russian troops in early March, shortly after the invasion began on February 24, and is close to the front line in the south.
Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of carrying out shelling near the complex, thus endangering the plant. The operator of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants Energoatom warned on Saturday that it was now operating with the risk of radioactive leaks and fires.
Meeting since August 1
The 191 signatories of the NPT, which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promote complete disarmament and encourage cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, have been meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York since 1 August.
But Russia on Friday blocked the adoption of a joint statement, denouncing “certain unashamedly political paragraphs” in the final draft text.
“Despite Russia’s cynical obstruction, the fact that all other parties supported the outcome document demonstrates the essential role of the treaty in preventing nuclear proliferation,” however, he welcomed the US official quoted above.
On Saturday, Austria, a neutral and non-nuclear country, had nevertheless denounced the attitude of Russia and the other great powers.
“Contrary to the disarmament commitments enshrined in the NPT, the five nuclear-armed states – the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom and Russia – are increasing or perfecting their arsenals,” the Austrian government wrote in a press release. denouncing his lack of “perceivable will to implement previously breached contractual obligations.”
Source: BFM TV
