Putin: Russia Strictly Complies With Nuclear Non-Proliferation Commitments

Putin says that Russia strictly complies with all its commitments in regard to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

STRELNA (Sputnik) — Russia strictly complies with all its commitments in regard to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

"We strictly comply with all issues related to non-proliferation and work closely with the IAEA," Putin said, opening a meeting with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.

Putin's meeting with the IAEA head was held on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Earlier in the day, the heads of the IAEA and Russia's state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom discussed the roles their organizations play in developing and ensuring the safe proliferation of peaceful nuclear energy.

Amano has also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in St. Petersburg during the day to discuss the best options for monitoring Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is an international deal that entered into force in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting the use of civilian nuclear technology. The treaty established a system of safeguard that falls under the responsibility of the IAEA. As many as 191 states ratified the treaty.

The NPT recognizes five states, namely the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, as states possessing nuclear weapons.