Putin Advocates for Nuclear Disarmament at NPT Review Conference
Russia's Commitment to Nuclear Non-Proliferation
File image of Russian President Vladimir Putin(Photo: IANS)
United Nations, April 30: In a speech delivered at the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to the treaty, emphasizing its adherence to both its letter and spirit.
Putin stated, "Given the current intricate international landscape, we require enhanced multilateral initiatives to foster conditions conducive to advancing towards a world devoid of nuclear weapons, while ensuring that the security of any nation is not compromised." This statement was conveyed by Andrey Ivanovich Belousov, the ambassador-at-large from the Russian Foreign Ministry, during the conference held at the UN headquarters in New York.
As a prominent player in nuclear energy, Russia expressed its willingness to collaborate with other NPT member states interested in this sector.
The Russian leader asserted that nations that diligently meet their NPT responsibilities should have unhindered access to peaceful nuclear energy.
Putin highlighted the necessity for intensified efforts to pave the way towards a nuclear-free world, particularly in light of the current global security challenges.
Russia anticipates that the ongoing conference will yield fruitful discussions and bolster the global nuclear non-proliferation framework.
The 11th NPT Review Conference commenced on Monday and is scheduled to continue until May 22.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for renewed commitment to revitalizing the NPT during his address at the conference.
Over the years, the global community has established a comprehensive array of measures aimed at preventing the proliferation, testing, and use of nuclear weapons, with the NPT serving as the cornerstone of these efforts, Guterres remarked.
He cautioned that the treaty is facing erosion, with many commitments unfulfilled, trust diminishing, and proliferation pressures increasing. Guterres stated, "This conference represents a crucial opportunity to unite and protect humanity from the dire threat of nuclear destruction."
He noted that there is a growing "collective amnesia" regarding nuclear issues, and for the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is increasing, with nuclear testing re-emerging as a concern.
"We must reinvigorate the treaty," he urged, calling on nations to uphold their obligations under the NPT.
Guterres emphasized the importance of recommitting to disarmament and non-proliferation as the only viable path to peace, advocating for the reinforcement of the norm against nuclear testing, the enhancement of the safeguards system, and the International Atomic Energy Agency's oversight, along with measures to avert nuclear conflict.
He also pointed out that the nuclear threat is exacerbated by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, stressing that the treaty must address the intersection of nuclear weapons and these advancements.
"With your support and involvement, the treaty can continue to serve as a robust foundation for a nuclear-free world in our rapidly evolving era," the secretary-general concluded.
"Before it is too late, let us dispel the collective amnesia surrounding nuclear weapons. Let us renew our belief in what we can accomplish together. Let us act swiftly to lift this looming threat over humanity," he urged.