12 countries, including China and Brazil, warned against threats of nuclear weapons
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Twelve countries, including China, Brazil, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan, issued a joint statement warning against threats of nuclear weapon use. The statement was released at the UN headquarters during the high-level week of the General Assembly, reports Ukrinform.
The statement was signed not only by China, Brazil, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan, but also by South Africa, Indonesia, Algeria, Bolivia, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, and Zambia.
"We call on refraining from the use or the threat of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons and chemical and biological weapons," the document states.
It emphasizes that civilian infrastructure, including peaceful nuclear facilities and other energy installations, should not be targets of military operations.
The signatories call for a comprehensive and lasting resolution by the conflict parties through inclusive diplomacy and political means based on the UN Charter.
The agency notes that Russia is not mentioned in the text but believes the warnings relate to recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, which allow for the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
New nuclear threats from Putin
Recently, Putin proposed expanding the conditions under which nuclear weapons could be used. The updated version of the nuclear doctrine suggests that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, with the involvement or support of a nuclear state, should be regarded as a joint attack on Russia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has labeled Putin's nuclear threats as irresponsible.
For more details on what is known about Putin's nuclear threats and how Ukraine is responding, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
