Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]  and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

The EU reiterates its utmost concern about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. Two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is caught on the frontline. For the first time, a country has illegally seized a nuclear power plant of its neighbour. Since then, the IAEA Director General has reported on issues concerning staffing, maintenance, cooling water, off-site power supply, explosions and outgoing artillery fire from near the plant. These risks are a direct consequence of Russia’s illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in flagrant violation of the UN Charter. This prevents the rightful Ukrainian operator and the Ukrainian authorities from fulfilling their nuclear safety and security obligations and commitments.

The latest alarming developments, as reported by the IAEA Director General, are highly disturbing and only add to our concern. Over the past week, the ZNPP was hit by drones, including at reactor building 6. This is a very serious incident as for the first time since November 2022, the ZNPP was directly targeted in a military action.

It once again underscores that Russia’s illegal seizure of the plant significantly increases risks to nuclear safety and security, potentially leading to accidents with severe consequences for Ukraine, and beyond.  Attacks from or against the ZNPP contravene the five basic principles established by the IAEA Director General at the UN Security Council.

Furthermore, the IAEA has repeatedly reported the presence of Russian troops and military vehicles at the ZNPP. According to the second of the five principles, the ZNPP should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons or military personnel.

The EU reiterates its strong support for the work of the IAEA and its Director General under these unprecedented circumstances. DG Grossi’s seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security and his five principles for avoiding a nuclear accident at the ZNPP must be respected. To monitor their observance, the IAEA experts must be given timely access to all areas at the ZNPP, as requested. It is of paramount importance that the conditions at the ZNPP allow for a continued and secure presence of the IAEA experts.

Chair,

Russia’s attempts to illegally take ownership of Ukraine’s ZNPP have no validity under international law. Russia must immediately implement the IAEA Board and General Conference resolutions, and unconditionally, immediately and completely withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the ZNPP and the whole territory of Ukraine. Returning the ZNPP to the full control of the competent and legitimate Ukrainian authorities is the only lasting solution to minimise the risk of a nuclear accident.

The EU continues to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary. The EU underlines its unwavering support to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We appreciate the IAEA Director General’s continued reporting and urge the Board to remain seized of nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.

Thank you, Chair.

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.