New York, 2 August 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, reminded the states at the NPT Review Conference of Russia’s “Reckless nuclear rhetoric behavior” as she urged to stop Russian aggression in Ukraine.
This morning 🇩🇪 Foreign Minister @ABaerbock reminded the states at #NPT2022 #10RevCon how Ukraine gave up on nuclear weapons and was then betrayed by Russia. This critical situation requires redoubling all our efforts to uphold the aims of the NPT. pic.twitter.com/oVcbcBy2P3
— German Mission to UN (New York) 🇺🇳🇩🇪🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@GermanyUN) August 1, 2022
Referring to Ukraine, the Foreign Minister reminded the states at the conference that Russia has forsaken and “subdued its smaller neighbors.”
“In attacking a country that gave up nuclear weapons, Russia is brutally violating the assurances it gave in the Budapest Memorandum,”.
The Budapest Memorandum on security assurance, December 5, 1994, was a political agreement. It aimed at providing security assurances by its signatories relating to the accession of states, including Ukraine, to NPT.
Pointing at Russia, which announced a high alert on its nuclear forces on February 24th, 2022, the Minister said that what the country is doing, is a downright violation of the UN charter.
“Since January 24th, Russia has repeatedly used reckless nuclear rhetoric that is putting at risk everything the NPT has achieved in five decades”, she told the 10th review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
According to Foreign Minister Baerbock, Russia is disturbing the international rule-based order and established norms and principles stating that the time has come when we need to “stand strong”.
The rule-based International order embodies some of the most fundamental commitments of humankind.
- To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
- To ensure nuclear weapons are never used again.
- And to work towards our common goal – a world free of nuclear weapons.
Due to delays in the review conference because of the pandemic, and Russia’s ongoing aggressions against Ukraine, the German Foreign Minister warned that the NPT “is in rough waters”.
The NPT Agenda
To let the nuclear disarmament flag flying high and to reaffirm our beliefs in the International system, she added, “we have to seek advancement in the NPT agenda.”
She further added that “it’s crucial to re-affirm the validity of the NPT acquis – and to implement our commitments. We have to reduce the risk of nuclear escalation and put ourselves back on track for nuclear disarmament. Honest dialogue is crucial, and therefore, essential.”
Steps to achieve the Agenda
This can be achieved by taking some steps now or in short term by the nuclear-armed states.
- Transparency on arsenals and restraint in doctrines
- Crisis-proof communication to prevent escalation
- And renewed dialogue on next-generation arms control arrangements and future reductions.
She also stressed strengthening the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which has been the greatest achievement under NPT so far.
Concerns regarding Rapid Nuclear Expansion
She also showed her concerns about Iran’s growing nuclear enrichment and called it “disturbing” from Tehran’s side to issue statements justifying its nuclear activities.
“I, therefore, urge Iran to accept the package aimed at restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)”, Baerbock added in her official statement.
Citing the growing nuclear signaling in regimes like Russia and North Korea, Annalena Baerbock made it clear that Germany stands against nuclear armaments and proliferation in these “rough times”.
That is why I am here at the #NPTRevCon in New York today: to make it crystal clear that Germany stands up for international law, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. – @abaerbock #NPT2022 2/2
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 1, 2022
The complete and irreversible denuclearization and implementation of all relevant UN resolution on the North Korean peninsula is the need of the hour.
Furthermore, to reduce polarization, Germany has now decided to become “an observer” in the first Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
“In the field of victim assistance or the remediation of areas contaminated by nuclear testing”, Germany seeks to improve dialogue and cooperation.
She also addressed the consequences that nuclear weapons have on humanity, particularly on women that are at higher risk of exposure. “One reason for me to support gender-responsive approaches to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation”, She added
She also met the UN General Secretary, António Guterres, and exchanged thoughts on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in Libya and Mali, and JCPOA.
