EU Statement at IAEA Board of Governors on nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine, as delivered on 11 September 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 EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its utmost concern over the nuclear safety and security risks that Russia has caused, in particular at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

We commend, once again, Director General Grossi, IAEA staff and experts for their work and courageous presence at the ZNPP and Ukraine's other nuclear power plants. They are tirelessly and professionally monitoring the nuclear safety and security situation, implementing safeguards, providing regular, first-hand and impartial information, and important technical assistance and support to Ukraine.

As reported by the IAEA, the overall nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP remains precarious and very fragile, with all seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict being compromised either fully or partially. Given the multiple safety concerns related to off-site power, cooling water, staffing and maintenance, all units at the ZNPP have to remain in cold shutdown mode.We regret that due to the restrictions imposed by Russia on the IAEA staff on-site, the Agency was not able to fully assess whether the five concrete principles were being observed at all times. We continue to stress that the seven pillars and the five principles must be respected and the IAEA must be granted unrestricted and timely access to all requested locations, information and personnel at the ZNPP.

Chair,

Russia's air strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure have led to many civilian casualties and caused widespread destruction across the entire country over the past months, thereby further exacerbating the already dangerous situation by increasing the risk of an emergency situation or an accident, in particular at the nuclear power plants producing electricity. The safety of the nuclear power plants also depends on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid, as recognised in the seven indispensable pillars. On 26 August, Russia's massive strikes targeting Ukraine's sub-stations caused - again - a temporary shutdown or disconnection of reactors, this time at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, which so far were operating without disruptions. The off-site power situation at the Khmelnytskyy NPP and Chornobyl site was also affected and again, the same happened to the Zaporizhzhia NPP during the week of 2 September. Some of them have still not restored connection to all their power lines.

In this context, we welcome the most recent visit of the IAEA Director General to Ukraine. We look forward to concrete proposals regarding the envisaged expansion of the IAEA's assistance to Ukraine, including possible follow-up IAEA actions with regard to some of the Ukrainian sub-stations, which are critical for nuclear safety. We remain committed to assessing how we can support this activity. We take note of the additional funding needs and encourage all donors to contribute. The EU and its Member States remain committed to providing financial, technical and equipment assistance to Ukraine, bilaterally and through the IAEA.

Chair,

The nuclear safety and security risks are likely to persist as long as Russia continues its war of aggression and its illegal seizure of the ZNPP. Once again, the EU urges Russia to immediately, unconditionally and completely withdraw all its military and other forces, equipment and all other unauthorised personnel from the ZNPP, and the entire territory of Ukraine, and return full control to Ukraine's competent sovereign authorities. Russia must comply with international law and heed the IAEA General Conference and Board of Governors resolutions on this matter.

The EU welcomes that, despite the very challenging circumstances, the IAEA has continued to implement safeguards in Ukraine, in accordance with Ukraine's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol.

In conclusion, the EU will continue to support Ukraine to defend its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

We once again thank the Director General for his reporting under this agenda item and encourage him to continue to closely monitor the situation and regularly issue formal and comprehensive reports to the Board.

Thank you, Chair.

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

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