UN: “The proliferation of nuclear weapons is a matter of grave concern”

The United Nations (UN) has stated that the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a matter of grave concern with regard to Russia’s plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

A weekly press conference was held under the moderation of Rolando Gómez, Head of the Department of Press and Foreign Relations of the Information Unit of the UN Office in Geneva. Gomez, AA correspondent, “After Russia announced its plan to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, today Belarus announced that such a decision does not contradict the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. How do you assess this situation?” “The proliferation of nuclear weapons is a matter of grave concern. It is the responsibility of each member state to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We are following this situation very carefully.”

The spokesman for the UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement on the subject: “All member states must comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They must comply with the responsibilities and obligations of the treaty,” he said. Dujarric shared the information that the meeting will take place this week regarding Ukraine’s call for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on March 25 that he would place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying: “We will do this without violating our international obligations regarding non-proliferation.”

NATO and the European Union (EU) declared that they found Russia’s decision “irresponsible”. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also called for an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council. (AA)