On October 17, 2024, a thematic conference on radiation and nuclear security was held in Paris within the framework of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Peace Formula. The event was organized by France in cooperation with Ukraine, Czech Republic, Japan, and Sweden. Representatives from 70 countries and international organizations participated, both in person and online.
The conference participants called on russia to immediately stop attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, as these actions pose serious risks to the safety of nuclear power plants. Specifically, drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities endanger the external power supply to nuclear power plants, which could lead to emergency situations at nuclear sites.
"We are deeply concerned about drone and missile attacks that jeopardize the safety of peaceful nuclear facilities. We again urge the russian federation to immediately cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure," reads the communiqué adopted at the conference's conclusion.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, who participated in the conference online, emphasized that russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is an unprecedented violation of international law and nuclear safety principles. He highlighted the importance of restoring Ukraine’s full control over all its nuclear facilities.
Ukraine's Minister of Energy, German Galushchenko, noted that russian missiles and drones regularly fly over Ukrainian nuclear power plants, creating a risk of a nuclear incident. According to him, strikes on energy infrastructure could lead to massive power outages, directly threatening the country's nuclear security.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, stated that the international community must ensure the protection of Ukraine's nuclear infrastructure and hold accountable those who threaten nuclear security. He stressed the need for coordinated international action and support for the IAEA.
This conference was the fifth in a series of events following the initial Peace Summit. Participants endorsed IAEA assistance in monitoring nuclear safety at Ukrainian facilities and supported developing a plan to de-occupy and restore the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with international safety standards.
The outcomes of this conference will form the basis for proposals to be presented at the second Peace Summit, where all ten points of the Peace Formula will be discussed.
The full communiqué can be read here.
