There are no military formations at the Zaporozhye NPP, the Russian representative office noted
UN, August 2. /tass/. Russia completely rejects the accusations of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that the Zaporozhye NPP (ZAES) is allegedly used as a military base. This was stated on Monday by the Russian delegation at the conference of the countries participating in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
"In a statement by US Secretary of State Blinken during the 10th Review Conference on the Review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, accusations were made of the use by the Russian armed forces of the Zaporozhye NPP as a military base. We completely reject such accusations. <...> There are no military formations at the Zaporozhye NPP, except for a limited number of military personnel necessary to ensure its safety," the delegation said in a statement published on the Telegram channel of the Russian permanent mission to the UN.
In addition, according to the report, Russia intends to find out whether the statements of US President Joe Biden about the need for dialogue on replacing the START Treaty after 2026 are readiness for negotiations or only "beautiful words".
"[Secretary of State] Anthony Blinken also mentioned in his speech today's address by US President Joe Biden in connection with the opening of the review conference, in particular, the readiness of the US administration to negotiate a new arms control framework to replace the START Treaty, which expires in 2026," the text says. - At the same time, the American president added that the negotiations require that the "partner" (read - Russia) act "in good faith." We would like to understand whether the American side is really ready for negotiations, or whether all this is "beautiful words".
"It was the United States that unilaterally cut off the dialogue on strategic stability with Russia under the pretext of events around Ukraine," the delegation said. - Although the task of this dialogue was to lay the foundation for future arms control and risk reduction measures, including the possible achievement of new relevant agreements. So it's time for Washington to make up its mind, stop rushing around and tell us directly what it still wants, continue to aggravate the situation in the field of international security or conduct equal negotiations."
