Ukraine has raised the issue of suspending Russia’s membership in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This was reported by First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal following an extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors convened at Ukraine’s request.
“A state that deliberately undermines nuclear safety cannot fully participate in the Agency’s main policy-making body,” he emphasized.
According to the Head of the Ministry of Energy, Russia is systematically and deliberately attacking electrical substations that provide external power supply to Ukrainian nuclear power plants, thereby undermining one of the seven pillars of nuclear safety defined by the IAEA.
Denys Shmyhal thanked IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and partner states for their firm condemnation of Russia’s actions and for supporting Ukraine’s energy and nuclear safety.
Special attention during the meeting was given to the situation surrounding the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has already lost external power supply completely 12 times.
The Ukrainian side called on Member States to impose comprehensive sanctions against Rosatom and to limit cooperation with this company in all possible areas. The meeting also addressed the issue of suspending Russia’s membership in the IAEA Board of Governors and initiating amendments to the Agency’s Statute aimed at restricting the rights of the aggressor state.
“It is time to introduce real accountability for acts of aggression that undermine nuclear safety,” added the First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Energy.
During the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, 49 statements condemning Russia’s actions were delivered: 45 by individual Member States and 4 collective statements. Member States reaffirmed their full support for the Agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.
