Russia blocks key UN document on nuclear weapons over criticism of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant occupation

This was reported by Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty.

NPT conference president Gustavo Zlauvinen of Argentina said late on August 26 that the conference was "unable to reach an agreement after Russia opposed the text."

The project criticized Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, immediately after Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February. The move raised worldwide concerns about a possible nuclear disaster.

The 191 countries that signed the 50-year-old treaty, which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote complete disarmament, must review the pact every five years. The current review was postponed to 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The draft statement mentions the ZNPP four times and expresses "serious concern about military actions" near the plant. The document also laments the failure of the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure security there and prevent possible diversion of nuclear materials.

French Ambassador Yang Hwang read a statement on behalf of 56 countries and the European Union, in which he expressed regret over "dangerous nuclear rhetoric, actions and provocative statements by Russia on increasing the level of nuclear preparedness." The 120 members of the Non-Aligned Movement also expressed disappointment, calling the conference document "extremely important".

The deputy head of the Russian delegation, Andrei Belousov, said that the conference has become a "political hostage" for countries that seek to "poison" the discussions and "settle scores with Russia by raising issues that are not directly related to the treaty."

According to him, Ukraine and its supporters "bear full responsibility" for the failure to reach an agreement.