EU Statement on Ukraine at the IAEA Special Board of Governors, 12 July 2024

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 appalling missile attacks by Russia last Monday, including against the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Ukraine, caused serious damage and dozens of casualties. The EU and its Member States stand with the victims and are deeply concerned by the cessation of medical treatments, especially for children. This attack adds to atrocities committed by Russia. Its gravity has been widely highlighted in the UN Security Council.

The attack had direct consequences on the IAEA Technical Cooperation programme since the targeted hospital was benefitting from the IAEA technical cooperation on cancer treatment in the framework of the Rays of Hope programme. The strike damaged several buildings of the hospital, including the radiology centre, which was receiving the IAEA and Member States’ support for cancer treatment. The impact of the damage will have severe consequences on the health of many children awaiting treatment. 

More generally, such reckless attacks on facilities that could hold radioactive sources entail a risk of exposure. They also starkly run counter to the IAEA’s efforts to promote peaceful applications of nuclear technology in health care.   

The EU strongly condemns the escalation of hostilities by Russia, and in particular its increased attacks against civilian and critical infrastructure. Attacks on medical facilities are violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes according to the Geneva Conventions. War crimes will always be condemned by us. The EU remains committed to ensuring that Russia and its leadership are held fully accountable for waging this war of aggression against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused as a result.

Since March, Russia has carried out large scale attacks regularly targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants, electricity sub-stations and gas storage facilities across all Ukraine, leaving millions of people without power, heating and water supply. These attacks also increase the risk of a nuclear accident due to periodic loss of off-site power for Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

The EU reiterates its strong support for the work of the IAEA and its Director General under these unprecedented circumstances, and calls for the respect of the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during armed conflict. 

Chair,

Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression constitutes a clear violation of the UN Charter and international law. 

The EU calls once more on Russia to stop attacks against civilian and critical infrastructure in Ukraine as well as immediately and completely withdraw from the whole territory of Ukraine, and to implement unconditionally the IAEA Board and General Conference resolutions. 

In this context, the EU welcomes the UN General Assembly Resolution on “Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant” adopted on 11 July, and calls for its immediate and full implementation.

The EU supports the draft resolution on “Implications of the Situation in Ukraine on Technical Cooperation with the IAEA”, tabled by Ukraine for this meeting of the Board of Governors. We call on Board Members to do the same.

In closing, let me reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Thank you, Chair.

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