Commentary on cyprus-daily.news
From July 2024, the Russian Federation assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council. This cannot but cause concern among the international community, as Russia uses this position to promote initiatives and resolutions favorable to it, including resorting to nuclear blackmail to achieve its geopolitical goals.
Russia uses nuclear weapons as a tool for blackmail! Thus, President Vladimir Putin deployed tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of his ally Belarus. This decision was accompanied by threats to revise Russia's nuclear doctrine, which creates additional tension in the international arena. Using nuclear threats, Russia tries to force other countries to make concessions in its interests.
One of the most striking examples of nuclear terrorism in Russia is the situation at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in the city of Energodar. Ukraine's Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was occupied by Russian troops as early as March 2022, and the Russian occupiers have since turned it into a military base. This case is the first in the history of occupation of a nuclear power plant and a gross violation of international nuclear law. The Kremlin is using a potential radiation disaster at Europe's largest nuclear power plant as a means of blackmailing the entire civilized world. It is a deliberate act of nuclear terrorism pursuing political goals. The only way to prevent a catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia NPP – it is the de-occupation of the station and the transfer of control over it to Kiev.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has continuously expressed concern about the high risk of a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to the agency, the constant shelling and attacks on the territory of the station create the danger of a radiation disaster, which could have catastrophic consequences not only for the region, but also for the whole world. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, has repeatedly stated the need to ensure station security and access of experts to all important facilities.
From the very beginning of the occupation, the Russian military and representatives of Rosatom launched a systematic and large-scale campaign to kidnap, torture and kill both nuclear plant personnel and civilians in the city of Energodar. The de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP requires not only diplomatic efforts, but also specific actions on the part of the international community. First of all, it is necessary to intensify efforts to collect and document all the evidence of violations of human rights and international law on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and in Energodar. In addition, it is extremely important to ensure constant monitoring of the situation at the Zaporizhia NPP with the participation of international observers. This will allow timely identification and prevention of possible threats related to the safety of the nuclear power plant.
Economic sanctions against Russia can play an important role in the de-occupation of the Zaporizhia NPP. Increased economic pressure may force the Russian leadership to reconsider its policy towards the occupied territories. It is important that the sanctions are directed not only against individuals, but also against key sectors of the Russian economy related to the energy and nuclear industry.
In addition to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Russia also occupied the Chernobyl nuclear power plant at the start of its invasion of Ukraine. These actions are unprecedented and violate all international safety standards. Using nuclear power plants as military bases and turning them into targets for blackmail threatens global security and requires an immediate response from international allies.
Coordinated efforts of the international community are needed to combat Russian nuclear terrorism. The UN, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Western countries must increase pressure on the Russian Federation. Only through joint and decisive action can the “peaceful atom” in Europe. and we guarantee the security of the continent.
Russia, as a member of the UN Security Council, has repeatedly violated and continues to violate the Charter of the United Nations and has effectively turned this body into a “council of danger and instability”, promoting its narratives and views on international law and the very role and tasks of the UN. Proclaiming the need to “destroy the unipolar world”, the Russian Federation is actually purposefully destroying the system of international relations and international law.
After illegally annexing Crimea, occupying Donbas and other Ukrainian territories, starting the biggest unprovoked war since World War II, Russia has blocked any steps by the UN Security Council to halt its aggression against Ukraine and force it to comply with the requirements of international law and respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. In fact, Russia has turned the UN Security Council into an instrument of its revanchist policy aimed at restoring the “Russian Empire”. In addition, the UN Security Council is used by Moscow to spread neo-imperial narratives, false information and disinformation in order to justify aggression against Ukraine and distort the real picture of the situation in the occupied Ukrainian territories.
Can such a country preside over the UN Security Council? The question of removing the right of veto of the Russian Federation in the UN Security Council or even its exclusion from the Council is one of the most important factors for the effective performance by the UN of its obligations to maintain the stability and peaceful development of the world system of international relations.