Modern Issues of International Nuclear Weapons Control

Abstract

In the article the author analyzes the key provisions of the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) and concludes that there are three core principles guaranteeing stable functioning of the NPT. These principles are: non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear disarmament. The paper presents the reasons of crisis of international nuclear arms control system, based on the NPT, and also analyzes points of the disagreements between member states of the NPT. The reasons for the disagreements between nuclear and non-nuclear states come from different approaches to interpretation of the NPT provisions and prioritization of one core principle over another. The article examines the role of two key nuclear superpowers and depository states of the NPT – Russia and the USA – in the process of the nuclear disarmament. The article analyzes NATO nuclear sharing factor that acts as one of the main dispute sources between the USA and Russia impeding further movement in direction of the nuclear disarmament. The author concludes that the crisis of negotiation process under the NPT will grow because the non-nuclear states took the track of forcing the nuclear states to disarm and brought this issue within the United Nations General Assembly.