Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative because the Disarmamentspoke at an emergency meeting convened by Moscow amid its continued aggression against neighboring Ukraine, after the delegation circulated new documents it said supported its claims.
The panel last discussed the issue of alleged biomaterials in Ukraine during a meeting on March 11.
United States-Ukraine Agreement
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Council that his delegation was in possession of new evidence of a US-Ukrainian agreement to conduct biological weapons research on Ukrainian territory, dating back to 2005.
He said he circulated evidence of that agreement to the Council, including signed evidence of direct US funding of Ukraine, amounting to $32 million.
While the US continues to insist that it does not operate in any biological laboratories in Ukraine, “the facts suggest otherwise”, he said, claiming that the Ukrainian authorities had in fact authorized Americans perform dangerous experiments in return for them to travel freely. International conference.
Today’s evidence points to studies done on Crimean-Congo fever, leptospirosis and other dangerous pathogens, he said.
He also cited evidence from studies on how such diseases can be transmitted from bats to humans, adding that the use of biological weapons could be “as easily dressed as it is.” out naturally”.
‘Strange conspiracy theory’
Reacting to those allegations, the US Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, recalled that the Council heard “a bunch of strange conspiracy theories” about biological weapons at their meeting a week ago. .
“There is no such laboratory, not near the borders of Russia, not anywhere,” she said.
Instead, Ukraine has a number of public health facilities, proudly supported by the United States, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other Governments and international organizations.
She expressed deep concern that Friday’s meeting could represent a “potential false flag attempt in action”, warning of the possibility that Moscow was planning to use chemical or biological agents. study against the Ukrainians.
Describing the new allegations as a sign of desperation, she stated: “This meeting is the result of [Russia’s] isolated in this Council, and on the world stage. ”
© WHO / Agata Grzybowska / RATS Agency
Ukrainian refugees living in temporary accommodation in Krowica Sama.
Biological Weapons Convention
Recalling her response to similar accusations made on 11 March, High Representative Nakamitsu, stressed that the UN is not on a mandate to be incapable of investigating such claims, which lie under the auspices of 1972. Biological Weapons Convention.
The treaty – to which both Ukraine and the Russian Federation are parties – effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxic weapons.
In the wake of the latest allegations, she outlined several possible modes of action to resolve conflicts between States under that Convention, including the possibility of convening a consultation meeting.
“The United Nations Office of Disarmament stands ready to assist with any procedure under the Biological Weapons Convention that Member States may decide to use,” she said.
© IAEA / Dana Sacchetti
Abandoned buildings in Pripyat, two kilometers from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine.
Update on nuclear plant
Turning to the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear power facilities, the head of disarmament said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that according to Ukrainian authorities, all safety systems at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant remained fully operational as of March 17.
While officials of the State Nuclear Power Company of the Russian Federation are present at the facilities in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian employees continue to operate the plant.
Meanwhile, the Chornobyl plant remains connected to the national grid, after reconnecting on March 14.
However, Ms. Nakamitsu raised concerns that the Ukrainian operators and guards had not been able to rotate for three weeks and that the IAEA was still not receiving telemetry data transmissions from the monitoring systems installed at Chornobyl.
