Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons facts for kids

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Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

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Participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Recognized nuclear-weapon state ratifiers Recognized nuclear-weapon state acceders Other ratifiers Other acceders or succeeders

Acceder which announced its withdrawal (North Korea) Non-parties(India, Israel, Pakistan, South Sudan) Partially recognized state which ratified (Taiwan)

Signed

1 July 1968

Location

Moscow, Russia;
London, United Kingdom;
Washington D.C., United States

Effective

5 March 1970

Condition

Ratification by the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 40 other signatory states.

Parties

190 (complete list)
non-parties: India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and South Sudan

Depositary

Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation (successor to the Soviet Union)

Languages

English, Russian, French, Spanish and Chinese

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at Wikisource

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, often called the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT, is an important international agreement. Its main goals are to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and their technology. It also aims to help countries use nuclear energy peacefully. Finally, it works towards getting rid of all nuclear weapons in the world.

This treaty was discussed and created between 1965 and 1968. It was negotiated by a group called the Eighteen Nation Committee on Disarmament, which was supported by the United Nations. The treaty was opened for countries to sign in 1968 and became law in 1970.

After 25 years, in 1995, the countries that signed the NPT decided to keep the treaty going forever. More countries have joined the NPT than any other agreement about limiting weapons. This shows how important the treaty is. As of 2016, 191 countries had joined. However, North Korea joined in 1985 but left the NPT in 2003 after testing nuclear devices.

Four other countries have never joined the NPT. Three of them have, or are thought to have, nuclear weapons: India, Israel, and Pakistan. South Sudan, which became a country in 2011, has also not joined.

The NPT says that "nuclear-weapon states" are countries that built and tested a nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967. These five countries are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China. Four other countries are known or believed to have nuclear weapons: India, Pakistan, and North Korea have openly tested and said they have them. Israel keeps its nuclear weapon status a secret.

The NPT is often seen as a big trade-off. Countries without nuclear weapons agree not to get them. In return, countries with nuclear weapons agree to share peaceful nuclear technology. They also promise to work towards getting rid of their own nuclear weapons.

The treaty is reviewed every five years at meetings called Review Conferences. In 1995, the countries decided to extend the treaty forever. This was a big step towards keeping the world safer.

When the NPT was first suggested, many people thought 25-30 countries would have nuclear weapons within 20 years. But over 40 years later, only five countries are not part of the NPT. These include the only four additional countries believed to have nuclear weapons. Other steps have also been taken to make it harder for countries to get nuclear weapons. These include rules from the Nuclear Suppliers Group and checks by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Some people say the NPT cannot stop countries from wanting or getting nuclear weapons. They are also disappointed that the five official nuclear weapon states still have many thousands of warheads. Some UN officials have said they can do little to stop countries from using nuclear reactors to make nuclear weapons.

How the Treaty Works

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

The NPT has a beginning part and eleven main sections called articles. Even though the treaty doesn't use the word "pillars," it's often seen as having three main parts or "pillars." These parts are meant to work together:

Stopping the spread of nuclear weapons (non-proliferation)
Getting rid of nuclear weapons (disarmament)
The right to use nuclear technology peacefully

These pillars are connected and help each other. If countries follow the rules to stop the spread of weapons, it helps with disarmament. It also makes it easier to share peaceful nuclear technology. With the right to use peaceful nuclear technology comes the duty not to spread nuclear weapons. Progress on disarmament also helps strengthen the rules against spreading weapons.

Some people disagree with the "three pillars" idea. They believe the NPT is mainly about stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. They worry that saying there are "three pillars" makes it seem like all parts are equally important.

First Pillar: Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons

This part of the NPT focuses on preventing more countries from getting nuclear weapons.

Article I: Countries with nuclear weapons promise not to give nuclear weapons or related technology to any other country. They also promise not to help any country make or get nuclear weapons.

Article II: Countries without nuclear weapons promise not to get or control nuclear weapons. They also promise not to seek help in making such weapons.

Article III: Countries without nuclear weapons agree to let the IAEA check their nuclear activities. This is to make sure their nuclear programs are only for peaceful uses. It ensures they are not secretly making nuclear weapons.

The NPT recognizes five countries as nuclear weapon states (NWS): China, France, Russia (which took over from the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, and the United States. These five countries are also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

These five NWS promise not to give "nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices" to other countries. They also promise not to "assist, encourage, or induce" any non-nuclear weapon state (NNWS) to get nuclear weapons. NNWS countries that are part of the NPT agree not to "receive," "manufacture," or "acquire" nuclear weapons. They also agree not to "seek or receive any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons." NNWS countries also agree to accept checks by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These checks make sure they are not using nuclear energy for weapons.

The five NWS countries have also promised not to use their nuclear weapons against a non-NWS country. This is unless they are attacked with nuclear weapons, or with a regular attack if they are allied with another Nuclear Weapons State. However, these promises are not formally part of the treaty.

Second Pillar: Getting Rid of Nuclear Weapons

This part of the NPT is about working towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Article VI: All countries that are part of the NPT agree to work towards ending the nuclear arms race. They also agree to work towards nuclear disarmament and complete disarmament.

Article VI is the only promise in a major international treaty for nuclear weapon states to work towards disarmament. The beginning of the NPT also talks about wanting to reduce international tension. This is to create a world where nuclear weapons are no longer made and are removed from countries' arsenals.

Some people think Article VI only vaguely asks countries to move towards disarmament. They say it only requires them to "negotiate in good faith" about disarmament.

However, many non-nuclear weapon states believe Article VI is a strong promise for the NPT-recognized nuclear weapon states to disarm. They argue that these states have not kept their promise. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) agreed in 1996. It said that there is a duty to negotiate and finish talks that lead to nuclear disarmament. This must be done under strict international control. The ICJ also noted that this duty applies to all NPT parties, not just the nuclear weapon states. It did not set a specific time for disarmament.

Critics say that the failure of the NPT-recognized nuclear weapon states to disarm has made some non-nuclear weapon countries angry. They argue this failure gives these countries a reason to leave the NPT and develop their own nuclear weapons.

Others believe that if countries like Iran and North Korea continue to develop nuclear weapons, it will make disarmament harder. They argue that no nuclear weapon state would get rid of its last nuclear weapons if it wasn't sure other countries wouldn't get them.

Third Pillar: Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy

This part of the NPT says that all countries have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They can also benefit from international cooperation in this area. This must be done while following their non-proliferation duties.

Article IV: This article says that nothing in the treaty should stop countries from researching, producing, and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It also encourages countries to share equipment, materials, and scientific information for peaceful nuclear uses. Countries that can help should also work with others to develop peaceful nuclear energy, especially in non-nuclear weapon states.

This "third pillar" allows nuclear technology and materials to be shared with NPT countries for peaceful uses. This includes developing civilian nuclear energy programs. The IAEA checks these programs to make sure they are not used to develop nuclear weapons.

Since many nuclear power plants use enriched uranium fuel, countries need to be able to enrich uranium or buy it. Mohamed ElBaradei, a former head of the IAEA, called the spread of uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing "the Achilles' heel" of the nuclear non-proliferation system. This is because these processes can produce material directly usable in nuclear weapons.

In the past, many countries received research reactors that used highly enriched uranium (HEU), which can be used for weapons. Later, a program started to change these reactors to use less enriched fuel. However, some HEU for civilian research still exists.

Because getting nuclear material is the biggest hurdle to making nuclear weapons, the U.S. decided in 2004 to stop the spread of uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing technology. Countries with these abilities could quickly make nuclear material for weapons. This gives them a "virtual" nuclear weapons program. There is a big debate about whether NPT members have a "right" to this technology, given its risks.

Most countries that joined the NPT as non-nuclear weapon states have not built nuclear weapons. However, some tried, and one (North Korea) left the NPT and got nuclear weapons.

Iraq was found to have broken its safeguard rules.
North Korea never followed its NPT safeguard agreement. It was cited for violations, then left the NPT and tested nuclear devices.
Iran was found to have not followed its NPT safeguard rules for a long time.
Romania reported secret nuclear activities from its past government.
Libya secretly worked on a nuclear weapons program before stopping it in 2003.
Syria's safeguard non-compliance was reported to the UN Security Council.

In some areas, if all neighboring countries are proven to be free of nuclear weapons, it reduces the pressure for any single state to build them. This is how the treaty is supposed to work.

In 2004, Mohamed ElBaradei estimated that 35 to 40 countries might have the knowledge to develop nuclear weapons.

Key Articles of the NPT

Here are some of the most important articles in the NPT:

Article I: Nuclear-weapon states (NWS) promise not to give nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices to anyone. They also promise not to help any non-nuclear weapon state make or get such weapons.

Article II: Non-NWS countries promise not to get nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices from any source. They also promise not to make or get such weapons, and not to get any help in making them.

Article III: Each non-NWS country agrees to make a deal with the IAEA. This deal ensures that all nuclear material in their peaceful activities is checked. It prevents this material from being used for nuclear weapons.

Article IV:
- 1. This treaty does not stop any country from researching, producing, and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This must be done without discrimination and following Articles I and II.
- 2. All countries in the treaty agree to help share equipment, materials, and scientific information for peaceful nuclear uses. Countries that can help should also work with others to develop peaceful nuclear energy. This is especially true for non-nuclear weapon states, considering the needs of developing areas.

Article VI: Each country promises to "negotiate in good faith on effective measures" to stop the nuclear arms race. They also promise to work towards nuclear disarmament and a treaty for complete disarmament under international control.

Article IX: This article defines a nuclear-weapon state. It is a country that made and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967.

Article X: This article allows a country to leave the treaty if "extraordinary events" threaten its highest interests. It must give three months' notice. It also set the treaty's original length (25 years before 1995).

History of the NPT

Date NPT first effective (including USSR, YU, CS of that time)
     1st decade: ratified or acceded 1968–1977
     2nd decade: ratified or acceded 1978–1987
     3rd decade: ratified or acceded since 1988
     Never signed (India, Israel, Pakistan, South Sudan)

The NPT was created because people were worried about a world with many nuclear weapon states. They knew that the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War was risky. More nuclear weapon states would make everyone less safe. It would increase the chances of mistakes, accidents, or nuclear conflict.

After the use of nuclear weapons in 1945, it became clear that countries could use nuclear technology for weapons. So, stopping this became a key issue in talks about peaceful nuclear energy.

Early efforts in 1946 to create a system for all countries to access nuclear technology safely failed. This was due to major political disagreements. By then, both the United States and the Soviet Union had tested nuclear weapons.

In 1953, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower suggested creating an international organization. This group would share peaceful nuclear technology while preventing weapon development. This led to the creation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1957. The IAEA was responsible for both promoting and controlling nuclear technology.

Discussions about nuclear non-proliferation began in the United Nations in 1957. The NPT process started in 1958. By the mid-1960s, the idea for a treaty to prevent nuclear weapons spread was clear. By 1968, the final agreement was reached. Finland was the first country to sign it.

After the end of the Cold War and apartheid in South Africa, almost all countries joined the treaty. In 1992, China and France joined. They were the last of the five nuclear powers recognized by the treaty to do so.

The treaty said that after 25 years, a conference would decide if it should continue forever or for a set time. In May 1995, countries agreed to extend the treaty indefinitely. They also decided to keep holding review conferences every five years.

Several countries that were part of the NPT as non-nuclear weapon states have given up nuclear weapons or programs. South Africa developed nuclear weapons but later destroyed them and joined the treaty in 1991.

The former Soviet republics of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan had nuclear weapons. They transferred these weapons to Russia and joined the NPT by 1994.

Nuclear Sharing with NATO Countries

     Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones
     Nuclear weapons states
     Nuclear sharing
     Neither, but NPT

When the NPT was being negotiated, NATO had secret agreements. The United States provided nuclear weapons to be stored in other NATO countries. Some people argue this goes against Articles I and II of the treaty. Others say that the U.S. controlled the weapons, and they would only be transferred if a war started, at which point the treaty might not apply.

As of 2005, the United States still provides about 180 tactical B61 nuclear bombs. These are for use by Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey under NATO agreements. Many countries now argue this violates the NPT. They say that non-U.S. pilots practice handling and delivering these bombs. This must involve sharing some nuclear weapons information.

NATO believes its nuclear forces still help prevent war. The original idea behind U.S. nuclear sharing was to prevent more countries from getting nuclear weapons. For example, it helped persuade West Germany not to develop its own nuclear weapons. This was by assuring them they could use U.S. nuclear weapons for defense.

Russia's Weapon Deployment in Belarus

In February 2022, Belarus changed its constitution to allow nuclear weapons on its territory. In June 2022, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed placing Russian short-range nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus.

Russia plans to deploy nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile systems in Belarus. Both regular and nuclear versions of the missile would be provided. Putin also said he would help modify Belarusian Su-25 bombers to carry nuclear missiles.

In June 2023, President Lukashenko said Russia had started moving tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus. Putin said the weapons were for "deterrence" against threats to Russia. He also said Belarus would not control them. NATO saw no change in Russia's nuclear position. Ukrainian intelligence said no warheads had been transferred yet.

Countries Not Party to the NPT

Four countries—India, Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan—have never signed the NPT. India and Pakistan have openly said they have nuclear weapon programs. Israel has a long-standing policy of not confirming or denying its nuclear program.

India's Nuclear Program

India has tested nuclear devices, first in 1974 and again in 1998. It is thought to have enough material for over 150 warheads. India used to have a "no first use" policy. This meant they would not use nuclear weapons unless attacked first with them. However, this policy has been updated.

India argues that the NPT creates a club of "nuclear haves" and "nuclear have-nots." It says the treaty unfairly limits nuclear weapons to countries that tested them before 1967. India's former External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said in 2007 that India didn't sign the NPT because it was "flawed." He said it didn't recognize the need for fair checks for all countries.

In 2006, India and the United States made a deal to restart cooperation on civilian nuclear technology. India agreed to put 14 of its 22 nuclear power plants under IAEA checks. Mohamed ElBaradei, then head of the IAEA, welcomed the deal. He called India "an important partner in the non-proliferation regime."

In 2008, the IAEA approved the India Safeguards Agreement. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also gave India a special waiver. This was a big step, as it allowed nuclear trade with a country that hadn't signed the NPT.

When China announced nuclear cooperation with Pakistan in 2010, some critics said these deals weakened the NPT. They argued it helped nuclear programs in countries not part of the treaty.

In 2011, Australia, a major uranium producer, decided to allow uranium exports to India. This was a change from its long-standing ban. Australia said any deal would have strict rules to ensure the uranium was only for peaceful purposes. In 2014, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott signed a civil nuclear deal to sell uranium to India.

Pakistan's Nuclear Program

In May 1998, after India's nuclear tests, Pakistan conducted its own nuclear tests. As of 2015, Pakistan was estimated to have as many as 120 warheads. Some analyses suggest it has enough material for 350 warheads.

Pakistani officials argue that the NPT is unfair. Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, said in 2015 that Pakistan would not sign the NPT because it is a "discriminatory treaty." Until 2010, Pakistan said it would sign the NPT if India did. But in 2010, Pakistan changed its stance. It said it would only join the NPT as a recognized nuclear-weapon state.

Current rules prevent major suppliers from exporting nuclear materials to Pakistan. This is because Pakistan does not have full IAEA safeguards on all its nuclear activities. Pakistan has tried to get a deal like India's, but the United States and others have refused. They say Pakistan's history of spreading nuclear technology makes it impossible.

In 2010, China reportedly signed a civil nuclear agreement with Pakistan. China said the deal was "peaceful." The British government criticized this, saying it was "not yet right" for such a deal. China did not seek formal approval from the nuclear suppliers group. It claimed its cooperation with Pakistan was allowed because of rules from when China joined the NSG. Other NSG members disagreed with this claim.

Israel's Nuclear Program

Israel has a long-standing policy of not confirming or denying its nuclear program. This is called "deliberate ambiguity." Israel has been developing nuclear technology at its Dimona site since 1958. Some experts believe Israel may have between 100 and 200 warheads.

Israel explains its position on the NPT as "Israeli exceptionality." This means its small size, vulnerability, and history of attacks require it to have a deterrent.

The Israeli government refuses to confirm or deny having nuclear weapons. However, this is widely known after a former Israeli nuclear technician, Mordechai Vanunu, shared evidence in 1986.

In 2009, the IAEA called on Israel to open its nuclear facilities for inspection and join the NPT. Israel refused to cooperate with this resolution. Similar resolutions were defeated in later years. Like Pakistan, Israel is currently prevented from receiving nuclear exports from major suppliers.

Other Countries and the NPT

North Korea's Nuclear Program

North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 to get help from the Soviet Union for building nuclear reactors. However, it was found to be breaking its IAEA safeguard agreement in 1992-93. North Korea had not fully reported its history of reprocessing spent fuel. North Korea then said it would leave the treaty in 1993.

The crisis ended when North Korea agreed to freeze its plutonium production. In return, it would get two light-water reactors and fuel oil shipments. North Korea also stopped its withdrawal from the NPT.

In the early 2000s, critics doubted North Korea was following the agreement. In 2002, the U.S. accused North Korea of a secret uranium program. North Korea denied it but said it had a right to nuclear weapons. The U.S. stopped fuel shipments. North Korea then announced it was leaving the NPT again in January 2003. This withdrawal became effective in April 2003, making North Korea the first country to leave the treaty.

In April 2003, North Korea agreed to "six-party talks" to find a solution. These talks included China, the United States, South Korea, Russia, and Japan. North Korea wanted fuel shipments to restart. The U.S. wanted North Korea's nuclear program completely dismantled. In February 2005, North Korea publicly said it had nuclear weapons and left the talks.

The six-party talks restarted in July 2005. In September 2005, North Korea said it would agree to a preliminary deal. It would scrap its nuclear weapons and facilities, rejoin the NPT, and let IAEA inspectors back in. But the next day, North Korea said it wouldn't dismantle its arsenal or rejoin the NPT until it got a light water reactor. The talks eventually failed.

In October 2006, North Korea announced it would conduct a nuclear test. On October 9, 2006, a seismic event was detected, and North Korea announced a successful underground nuclear test. The UN then imposed sanctions. The six-party talks resumed in 2007. North Korea agreed to dismantle its nuclear programs in exchange for funds and energy. However, the agreement failed due to verification problems. North Korea fully left the talks in 2009. It expelled all U.S. and IAEA inspectors. The UN then expanded sanctions.

Reports in 2007 suggested that earlier CIA reports about North Korea's uranium program might have been wrong. However, there is still evidence of a uranium effort. North Korea admitted to a uranium enrichment program. Pakistan's former President Musharraf said his network provided North Korea with centrifuges. North Korea formally announced its uranium enrichment program in September 2009.

After rising tensions, North Korea showed interest in returning to the six-party talks in 2011. Talks between North Korea and the U.S. led to the "Leap Day Agreement" in 2012. North Korea would allow IAEA inspections and resume talks. But North Korea launched a rocket, and the U.S. suspended food aid. North Korea conducted more nuclear tests in 2013, 2016, and 2017. It claimed to be developing smaller warheads and long-range missiles. It also claimed successful thermonuclear weapons tests.

The IAEA has called for North Korea to rejoin it and the NPT since 2013.

Iran's Nuclear Program

Iran has been part of the NPT since 1970. However, it was found to be not following its NPT safeguard agreement. The status of its nuclear program is still debated. In 2003, the IAEA reported that Iran had repeatedly failed to meet its safeguard duties. This included not reporting imported nuclear material or facilities.

After diplomatic efforts, the IAEA found Iran was not complying. This was reported to the United Nations Security Council in 2006. The Security Council demanded Iran stop its enrichment. But Iran continued its enrichment program.

The IAEA has been able to confirm that declared nuclear material in Iran has not been diverted. It is still working to check for any undeclared activities. In 2008, the IAEA reported it was looking into "alleged studies" of weaponization. Iran denied these claims. In 2009, the IAEA said Iran had not cooperated on issues that needed to be clarified to rule out military aspects of its program.

The United States believed Iran violated its NPT obligations. It argued Iran's enrichment program was for weapons. However, a 2007 U.S. intelligence report said Iran had stopped an active nuclear weapons program in 2003. But it also said Iran had only stopped "nuclear weapon design and weaponization work." Many observers were still worried because Iran continued to develop ways to produce nuclear material.

Iran stated it has a legal right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the NPT. It said its enrichment program was part of its civilian nuclear energy program, allowed under Article IV. The Non-Aligned Movement supported Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology.

In 2015, Iran made a nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries (China, France, Russia, the UK, the US, plus Germany). This deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, lifted sanctions on Iran. In return, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow more IAEA checks. In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal and put sanctions back on Iran.

South Africa's Nuclear Program

South Africa is the only country that developed nuclear weapons on its own and then dismantled them. This is unlike Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, which inherited nuclear weapons from the Soviet Union.

During the time of apartheid, the South African government feared a black uprising and communism. This led to a secret nuclear weapons program as a last defense. South Africa has a lot of uranium from its gold mines. It built a nuclear research facility where uranium was enriched for power plants and bombs.

In 1991, under international pressure and with a change of government coming, South Africa signed the NPT. In 1993, President Frederik Willem de Klerk admitted the country had developed a limited nuclear weapon ability. These weapons were then dismantled before South Africa joined the NPT and allowed IAEA inspections. In 1994, the IAEA confirmed that South Africa had fully dismantled its nuclear weapons program.

Libya's Nuclear Program

Libya signed the NPT in 1968 and ratified it in 1975. It was subject to IAEA inspections. However, it secretly developed a nuclear weapons program. This program used materials and technology from a network run by A.Q. Khan, including nuclear weapons designs.

In 2003, Libya was caught with a shipment of Pakistani-designed centrifuge parts. In December 2003, Libya announced it would get rid of all its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. It allowed U.S., British, and IAEA teams to help and verify this process. Nuclear weapons designs, centrifuges, and other equipment were removed from Libya by the United States. Libya's non-compliance with IAEA safeguards was reported to the UN Security Council. However, no action was taken as Libya returned to compliance.

In 2011, the Libyan government was overthrown in a civil war. North Korea has often pointed to Libya's fate as a "cautionary tale." It suggests that giving up nuclear weapons can make a country vulnerable. This influences North Korea's decision to keep its nuclear weapons program.

Syria's Nuclear Program

Syria has been part of the NPT since 1969. It has a small civilian nuclear program. Before the Syrian Civil War, it had one small research reactor. Syria was accused of having a military nuclear program with a secret facility in the desert. This reactor's parts were likely designed in North Korea.

In 2007, Israel launched Operation Orchard, an airstrike that destroyed the suspected nuclear reactor. The attack also killed about ten North Korean workers. Both parties tried to keep it secret. Israel didn't want publicity about breaking a ceasefire. Syria didn't want to admit to its secret nuclear program.

Ukraine and Nuclear Weapons

Ukraine joined the NPT in 1994 as a non-nuclear weapon state. It agreed to remove all nuclear weapons from its territory. In return, the UK, the United States, and Russia gave security promises to Ukraine in the Budapest Memorandum of 1994.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and 2022, some experts questioned Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons. They argued that Russia breaking the treaty showed that only a nuclear arsenal can guarantee a country's safety from a nuclear power. However, other experts argued that it's unclear if Ukraine's nuclear arsenal would have kept it safe. They also noted that maintaining the missiles would have been hard for Ukraine. Ukraine might have faced sanctions if it refused to give up its arsenal.

Leaving the Treaty

Article X of the NPT allows a country to leave the treaty. It can do so if "extraordinary events" threaten its highest interests. The country must give three months' notice and explain its reasons.

NATO countries argue that if there is a "general war," the treaty no longer applies. This argument supports NATO's nuclear weapons sharing policy. They say the treaty would have failed its purpose of preventing a general war.

North Korea has also used this rule. In 1993, North Korea said it would withdraw from the NPT. After 89 days, it reached a deal with the U.S. to freeze its nuclear program. It then "suspended" its withdrawal notice. In 2002, the U.S. accused North Korea of a secret uranium program. North Korea then expelled IAEA inspectors. On January 10, 2003, it announced it was ending the suspension of its NPT withdrawal. North Korea said only one more day's notice was needed.

The IAEA disagreed with this. Most countries believed a new three-month notice was needed. Some also questioned if North Korea's reasons met the "extraordinary events" and "supreme interests" requirements. The Joint Statement in 2005 called for North Korea to "return" to the NPT. This implicitly recognized that it had withdrawn.

Recent Events and Discussions

In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush said he would work to change U.S. and international laws. This would allow trade in U.S. civilian nuclear technology with India. Some critics argued this deal, along with efforts to deny Iran civilian nuclear technology, could harm the NPT.

Map of nuclear-armed states of the world
     NPT-designated nuclear weapon states (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States)
     Other states with nuclear weapons (India, North Korea, Pakistan)      Other states presumed to have nuclear weapons (Israel)
     NATO member nuclear weapons sharing states (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey)
     States formerly possessing nuclear weapons (Belarus, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Ukraine)

In 2010, it was widely believed that China signed a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan. China claimed the deal was "peaceful." Critics said both the China-Pakistan and U.S.-India deals weakened the NPT. They argued these deals helped nuclear programs in countries not part of the treaty. Some reports said China's deal was a strategic move to balance U.S. influence in South Asia.

A 2001 U.S. Department of Defense report said China had provided Pakistan with nuclear materials. It also gave key technological help for Pakistan's nuclear weapons facilities. This was a violation of the NPT, which China had signed.

At the 2005 Review Conference, there were big differences. The U.S. wanted to focus on non-proliferation, especially its claims against Iran. Most other countries focused on the lack of serious nuclear disarmament by the nuclear powers.

The 2010 Review Conference was held in New York City. It adopted a final document with an Action Plan. This conference was seen as a success because it reached an agreement. Many people said this was due to U.S. President Barack Obama's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

The "Global Summit on Nuclear Security" took place in April 2010. President Obama proposed it to strengthen the NPT. Forty-seven countries and three international organizations attended.

In June 2013, President Obama outlined plans to further reduce the U.S. nuclear arsenal. He proposed a one-third reduction in strategic nuclear warheads. This would bring the number of deployed warheads to about 1,000. Obama wanted to negotiate these reductions with Russia. He also called for a new treaty to end the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.

In April 2014, the Marshall Islands sued several nuclear-armed countries in The Hague. They wanted the disarmament parts of the NPT to be enforced.

The 2015 NPT Review Conference was held in New York. Countries examined how the treaty's rules had been followed since 2010. Despite many discussions, the conference could not agree on a final document.

The Tenth Review Conference took place in August 2022. It was delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also ended without adopting a final document. Russia blocked an agreement over issues related to the war in Ukraine.

In June 2023, the U.S. Department of State said the United States hosted a meeting in Cairo. This meeting was among the five nuclear weapon states. It was described as an "ongoing exchange in the context of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Criticism and Responses

Many developing countries see the NPT as a "conspiracy." They believe it helps nuclear "haves" keep nuclear "have-nots" from getting weapons. This argument comes from Article VI, which asks nuclear weapon states to get rid of their nuclear stockpiles. But non-nuclear states see no signs of this happening.

Some argue that the NWS have not fully followed their disarmament duties under Article VI. Countries like India have criticized the NPT. They say it "discriminated against states not possessing nuclear weapons on 1 January 1967." Iran and many Arab states have criticized Israel for not signing the NPT. There is disappointment that the five authorized nuclear weapon states still have many thousands of warheads.

The International Court of Justice said there is a duty to negotiate and finish talks leading to nuclear disarmament. Some critics say nuclear weapon states have failed to make disarmament a main goal in their policies. They ask other countries to plan their safety without nuclear weapons, but don't do so themselves.

The United States responds by saying it has eliminated over 13,000 nuclear weapons since the Cold War. It has also reduced its deployed strategic warheads by over 80%. The U.S. has also bought thousands of warheads' worth of uranium from former Soviet weapons. This uranium is converted into reactor fuel.

U.S. officials agree that stopping proliferation and disarmament are linked. They note that growing proliferation risks make disarmament harder. The United Kingdom, France, and Russia also defend their disarmament records. The five NPT NWS made a joint statement in 2008. They reaffirmed their disarmament promises under Article VI.

According to some experts, the NPT has a "giant loophole." Article IV gives non-nuclear weapon states the "inalienable right" to use nuclear energy for power. Some officials have said they can do little to stop countries from using nuclear reactors to produce nuclear weapons. A 2009 UN report said that more interest in nuclear power could spread uranium enrichment and reprocessing technologies. These technologies can produce materials directly usable in nuclear weapons.

Critics also say that countries with nuclear weapons, but not authorized by the NPT, have not faced serious consequences. Also, some bilateral deals, especially by the United States, have weakened the NPT.

Because nuclear disarmament has been slow, a new treaty was adopted in July 2017. This is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It became law in January 2021. It bans countries from developing, testing, producing, storing, or using nuclear weapons. It also bans helping with these activities. This treaty supports the NPT's goal of full disarmament.