Ukraine warns against legitimizing Russian seizure of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant
Business17 April 2025, 08:30 AM
He made this statement at a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council - a think tank in the field of international affairs.
Halushchenko stressed a situation in which one country seizes a nuclear facility by force and maintains control — even without operating it — sets a dangerous precedent. Should the international community turn a blind eye to Russia’s actions, it will undermine the investment appeal of nuclear energy worldwide.
The minister also addressed the idea of joint management of the ZNPP, which US President Donald Trump reportedly considered.
He highlighted that Ukraine sees ZNPP as a potential strategic energy asset, especially considering the country’s large-scale post-war recovery. Meeting future energy demands will require significant generation capacity, and nuclear power will play a key role.
Halushchenko also mentioned serious safety risks. Since August last year, there have been over 150 recorded incidents in which Russian missiles or drones flew over or near operational Ukrainian nuclear power plants. These events not only violate international standards but also bring the threat of a Fukushima-like scenario closer — with emergency power loss and the risk of losing control over reactors.
The minister underscored that nuclear safety must not be a matter of compromise or political maneuvering. Ukraine continues to draw the attention of the IAEA to this issue and urges experts to inspect not only the plant itself but also the critical surrounding infrastructure.
"The moment we allow the forceful seizure of a nuclear site even once," Halushchenko warned, "it will send a dangerous message to the entire world."
The ZNPP is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and is critical to Ukraine’s long-term economic viability, given the low price of electricity it generates thanks to economies of scale. It has been under Russian military occupation since early 2022 and is situated right on the frontline in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Oblast.