Parties to NPT condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine

28.08.2022 15:34

Ukrinform

The parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) strongly condemned the unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and called on the occupiers to withdraw their troops from Ukraine.

This is underscored in the statement by the parties to the NPT, which was made public by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

The parties to the NPT reiterated in the statement their strongest condemnation of the ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine which constitutes a gross violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the NPT as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The signatories condemned the abhorrent actions of the Russian Federation, which have had the effect of depriving Ukraine of control over Ukrainian nuclear facilities and disrupting its exercise of its inalienable right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The authors of the joint statements praised the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian staff at Ukrainian nuclear facilities, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, who continue to work tirelessly to ensure nuclear safety in Ukraine, despite working under immense pressure in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.

The parties to the NPT demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine and hand back full control of ZNPP as well as of all nuclear facilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders to the proper Ukrainian authorities in order to ensure their safe and secure operations.

As reported, at the beginning of next week, IAEA inspectors plan to visit the Zaporizhzhia NPP seized by Russians. The agency intends to assess the plant's security situation and address problems caused by the hostilities. In addition, a group of specialists may deliver spare parts, radiation control devices, and other necessary materials to the NPP to strengthen the plant's safety level.