- “Humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation”.
- The warning came as a conference opened to review the 50-year-old Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to roll back on his nuclear warning.
The crisis in Ukraine, nuclear threats in Asia and the Middle East, and other issues; were raised by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stated that “humanity is just one mistake; one miscalculation away from nuclear devastation.”
The warning was issued on Monday as a conference to examine the 50-year-old Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty; which aims to eventually achieve a world free of nuclear weapons; got underway after being postponed due to a pandemic.
The United States, Japan, Germany, the U.N. nuclear chief; and many other opening speakers also addressed the prospect; of a nuclear catastrophe.
Some speakers criticised Russia for skipping its scheduled speech on Monday; and instead scheduling it on Tuesday. Tuesday’s speech by the China representative was scheduled.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russia is “engaging in reckless; dangerous nuclear saber-rattling” in Ukraine; North Korea is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test; Iran “has either been unwilling or unable” to accept a deal to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement; aimed at reining in its nuclear programme, and North Korea; is about to conduct its seventh nuclear test.
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In order to emphasise that his nation is “one of the most potent nuclear powers;” he referenced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning that any attempt; to interfere would result in “consequences you have never seen”; after its invasion on February 24.
The world has become more divided since the last review conference in 2015; which came to an end without producing a consensus document; according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He also noted that Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons; in the Ukraine war has increased “global concern; that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon use is a real possibility.”
Moscow’s “reckless nuclear language” following its invasion of its smaller neighbour; according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, “is endangering all the NPT; has accomplished in five decades.”
In a statement of congratulations to NPT participants published on his website on Monday,;Putin seemed to retract his nuclear warning.
The Russian leader declared, “We stand for equal and indivisible security for all members; of the global community. We think that a nuclear war cannot be won; and must never be fought.”
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