The international community dhould unite to ensure global energy security. This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, during a meeting with representatives of EU member states at the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, where the regular session of the IAEA Board of Governors is taking place.
The Minister recalled that last week marked three years since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and this week marks three years of the occupation of Europe's largest nuclear power plant – the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. During this time, he noted, Ukraine has faced unprecedented challenges in nuclear and radiation safety in history. Ukraine is grateful to all EU countries for their continuous support and assistance, but the threats to nuclear safety, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, remain unchanged, and the situation continues to be unstable and dangerous.
"It is important to take all necessary measures to prevent the restoration of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant's operation under russia’s control. We must ensure that the precedent of seizing and illegally holding a nuclear power plant is never repeated in any country. And that the country responsible for this does not go unpunished," emphasized German Galushchenko.
The participants of the meeting discussed the precedent of illegal rotation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. It was emphasized that the issue of preventing such a recurrence must be resolved before the next rotation.
The parties also discussed the shelling of infrastructure critical for nuclear energy, with special attention given to another international crime and act of nuclear terrorism by russia – the attack on the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The protective function of NSC has now been compromised, increasing the risk of radioactive contamination.
The Minister stressed that Ukraine strongly condemns this act of aggression and calls on EU partners to support the country in disseminating information about the scale and consequences of this act and to take decisive measures to unite international efforts in overcoming its aftermath.
