Russia blocking rotation of IAEA experts at Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Foreign Ministry
Zaporizhzhia NPP (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Russian forces continue to actively militarize the occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (NPP) and are blocking the rotation of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on Feb. 19.
“The Russian Federation grossly violates international law, undermines nuclear and radiation safety standards, and demonstrates complete disregard for the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, which require Russia to immediately withdraw military equipment and Russian personnel from the ZNPP,” the Ministry stated.
"If Russia is not stopped, its criminal actions at the Ukrainian nuclear facility could lead to a catastrophe on a scale that Europe has never seen before.”
The ministry notes that Moscow's crimes against civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including the occupation of ZNPP, the obstruction of the IAEA's work, and threats to the lives of international experts, require an urgent international response.
"We call on the international community to take immediate steps to extend sanctions against the Russian state-owned corporation Rosatom, its affiliated companies and institutions, as well as other key players in the Russian nuclear energy sector," the Foreign Ministry added.
“We also emphasize the urgency of a complete cessation of cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear technology, as well as the restriction of Russia's rights and privileges in the IAEA.”
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