The United States has expressed continued concern over nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which remains close to active combat zones. The statement was delivered by Howard Solomon, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on September 10.
"The United States welcomes the Director General’s latest report on the nuclear safety, security, and safeguards situation in Ukraine. We remain grateful for the Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the nuclear facilities in Ukraine continue to receive the necessary technical attention required. The United States is hopeful our diplomatic efforts to secure a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia will soon yield positive outcomes," said Solomon.
Solomon reiterated concerns about actions that could lead to a nuclear incident, with particular emphasis on the unreliability of off-site power supply to ZNPP. He noted that restarting any reactor at ZNPP during ongoing conflict would be dangerous due to risks related to plant conditions and water supply for cooling.
He also reaffirmed U.S. support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) technical role in helping Ukraine maintain nuclear safety and fulfill its safeguards obligations throughout the conflict. "The Director General’s report again highlights frequent military activities including explosions, drone strikes, and gunfire in the vicinity of the ZNPP and other critical facilities in Ukraine as continuously putting the overall nuclear safety and security of the nuclear power plants at great risk," Solomon stated.
According to Solomon, despite challenging circumstances, IAEA verification activities under Ukraine’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol have continued. While successful physical inventory verifications were conducted at several sites, he raised concerns about full implementation at ZNPP and called on Russia not to obstruct IAEA technical work there. He welcomed Ukraine’s efforts to meet its safeguards obligations during conflict and noted there were no indications of proliferation concerns found by the agency.
"All Member States should consider supporting the Agency’s important efforts in Ukraine. We strongly encourage all relevant parties to continue enabling the Agency’s activities by finding appropriate and timely solutions for safe passage of IAEA personnel to and from all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including most notably the Zaporizhzhia plant," said Solomon.
He concluded by taking note of Director General's report GOV/2025/54 on Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards in Ukraine and requested it be made public.