New York/Moscow: Russia has taken a more aggressive stance on the issue even as accusations are being exchanged between Russia and Ukraine over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant issue. During the ongoing meeting on nuclear weapons in the United Nations, a resolution was presented regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, Russia objected to it and prevented the resolution from being passed. Russia stated that it objected to the deal as it mentioned the nuclear power plant in Ukraine and Russia’s interference in it.
A United Nations meeting on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation is underway in New York from the beginning of August. The purpose of this conference is to discuss and reach a consensus on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the end of the meeting, a joint resolution was to be adopted on the treaty. The resolution included Russian military deployment to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as well as Ukraine not having control of the plant. The Russian representative strongly objected to the mention, calling it political.
While objecting, Russia also announced that it did not approve of the deal. As Russia is one of the permanent member countries, the resolution could not be passed, given its opposition. The United States, Japan and Australia expressed displeasure on Russia’s stand. Even China has expressed displeasure about being unable to reach a consensus on the resolution. Although nearly 190 countries have supported the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty proposed in 1970, an agreement has never been reached regarding amendments to the treaty. Russia’s objection to the mention of Zaporizhzhia is also a part of it.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is one of the largest nuclear power plants in Ukraine and Europe, with a whopping 6,000 megawatts. The plant has a vast stockpile of enriched uranium and nuclear fuel. Currently, employees of a Ukrainian company are working in this plant. Russia took control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine weeks after launching an attack on the country in February. Last month, Ukraine launched a counter-offensive against Russian-held areas in southern Ukraine. Against this backdrop, this nuclear power plant has again assumed centre stage in the previous few days.
A fire broke out in the coal fields near the nuclear plant on Thursday last week. Consequently, the nuclear plant had to be disconnected from the national grid and posed a risk of shutting down the plant. In this scenario, nuclear and radioactive emissions from the plant were also threatened. Nevertheless, the problems at the plant were resolved in some time, and it became operational on Friday. After that, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of causing attacks near the project. The Ukrainian company handling the nuclear plant has warned that a leak of radioactive materials could occur anytime in the next few days.
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