The United States has voiced concerns at a United Nations Security Council briefing regarding the safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently under Russian control. The U.S. representative thanked Director General Grossi for his leadership in preventing nuclear catastrophe and praised the efforts of IAEA staff working under challenging conditions.
The U.S. emphasized the importance of adhering to the IAEA’s Five Concrete Principles for nuclear safety, stressing that all council members should prioritize avoiding any actions that endanger ZNPP's security. The ongoing conflict, initiated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is seen as a significant threat to nuclear safety.
The U.S. representative criticized Russia for maintaining control over ZNPP and ignoring calls from international bodies to withdraw its personnel, which would allow Ukrainian authorities to regain control. The situation is exacerbated by Russia's attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, threatening external power supplies essential for safe plant operations.
Concerns were also raised about insufficient staffing at ZNPP due to Russia's policy requiring Ukrainian workers to sign contracts with Rosatom and accept Russian citizenship. This move is viewed as undermining global nuclear safety standards.
The U.S. reiterated support for the IAEA’s Seven Indispensable Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security and called on Russia to cease military actions that could lead to a nuclear incident at ZNPP. Despite claims of cooperation with the IAEA, Russia is accused of limiting access following incidents it allegedly caused.
Since March 2022, when Russia seized ZNPP, there have been multiple instances where external power was lost due to attacks on Ukraine’s power grid or when essential staff were detained by Russian forces. The international community continues to urge Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and return control of ZNPP to Ukrainian authorities.