IAEA resolution on deoccupation of Zaporizhia NPP is step towards restoring nuclear safety – Ministry of Energy

The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine is considering the resolution of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanding immediate deoccupation of Zaporizhia NPP as a step towards restoring nuclear safety.

"The 69th General Conference of the IAEA adopted the resolution Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security and Safeguards in Ukraine. The document, supported by 62 member states, calls on the Russian Federation to immediately deoccupy and demilitarize the Zaporizhia NPP and return it to full control of the Ukrainian authorities. The Ministry of Energy considers this resolution as a step towards restoring nuclear safety," the Ministry of Energy said in a statement on Thursday evening.

It notes that the resolution, initiated by Ukraine and its international partners, has become another signal to the world community about the inadmissibility of Russian actions that endanger the nuclear security of the entire continent. It contains a direct call for the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorized military and other personnel from the ZNPP. The document confirms that the ZNPP and all nuclear facilities in Ukraine must operate under the full sovereign control of the competent Ukrainian authorities.

The resolution also confirmed the mandate and continued work of the IAEA mission at the ZNPP – "despite Russia’s constant attempts to undermine its activities." The Ministry of Energy explained that the presence of the agency’s experts means that every incident and attack will be recorded and brought to the international level.

At the same time, the resolution recalled the Russian strikes on the Chornobyl zone and damage to the New Safe Confinement, which pose risks to international nuclear safety.

"We are grateful to every country that supported this important document. 62 votes in favor are a clear position of the civilized world: nuclear terrorism is unacceptable, and the ZNPP occupied by Russia must be immediately returned to the control of Ukraine. We will continue to work with the IAEA and our partners to ensure the implementation of every point of this decision," said Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk.

As reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomed the adoption of the resolution "Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security and Safeguards in Ukraine" at the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference.