54 Delegations Support Ukraine at IAEA Conference Calling to Action Against Russia’s Nuclear Terrorism

54 delegations at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna on May 22 backed Ukraine’s assertion that Russia is endangering global nuclear and radiation security, as per the report from the Energy Ministry.

The event gathers discussions on policy, legislation, and regulatory measures concerning nuclear security, along with considerations on technology and infrastructure aimed at preventing nuclear security threats.

The Head of the Ukrainian delegation, Deputy Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk, reminded the world of Russia’s repeated violations of nuclear safety and security.

“This happened twice to Ukraine: in 2014, when Crimea, where the Sevastopol Research Reactor is located, was annexed, and in 2022, when Russia illegally seized the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia NPP. Such actions have created unprecedented risks for nuclear safety and continue to create such risks every day,” said Svitlana Hrynchuk.

She noted that what was happening in Ukraine now was nuclear terrorism by the Russian Federation.

54 delegations at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported the statement prepared by Ukraine on threats to nuclear and radiation safety posed by Russia.

“Russia’s willful disregard for international law, its presence, and actions at the Zaporizhzhia plant, as well as attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, continue to endanger Ukraine and the region,” the joint statement said.

The Minister of Energy of Ukraine ​​Herman Halushchenko called on putting sanctions against the Russian Federation’s nuclear industry and that Russia must fulfill the requirements of the four resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors and the resolution of the 2023 IAEA General Conference on the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and other unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Russia’s seizure of the Zaporizhzhia NPP in March 2022 is an unprecedented occurrence, which threatens global security and requires urgent actions from the international community.