The United States denounced on Sunday the "cynical obstruction" of Russia which "alone" prevented the adoption of a joint declaration at the UN on the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT).

The 191 signatories to the NPT, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote complete disarmament and promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, have been meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York since August 1. .

Russia prevented the adoption of a joint declaration on Friday, denouncing in the draft final text “certain shamelessly political paragraphs”.

The Zaporozhye power plant at the center of tensions

For Washington, this Russian refusal has a single objective: "to block elements of language which only recognized the radiological risks at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant", points out the deputy spokesman of the American State Department, Vedant Patel.

The Zaporozhzhie power station, the largest in Europe, was taken by Russian troops in early March, shortly after the invasion began on February 24, and is near the frontline in the south.

kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of carrying out bombardments near the complex, and thus putting the plant in danger. 

The operator of Ukrainian nuclear power plants Energoatom warned on Saturday that it was now operating with the risk of radioactive leaks and fires. shamelessly political paragraphs”.

"Despite the cynical obstruction of Russia, the fact that all the other parties supported the final document demonstrates the essential role of the treaty in preventing nuclear proliferation", however welcomed the American official quoted above.

Austria also angry at other nuclear powers

On Saturday, Austria, a neutral and non-nuclear country, had however 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 their lack of "perceivable will to implement previously unfulfilled contractual obligations".

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