IAEA pressured by Russia, Ukraine demands nuclear control
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed outrage over the actions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which were influenced by pressure from Russia.
"Russia effectively forced IAEA personnel to remain at the station for 80 days without rotation, which is significantly longer than planned, keeping people under unprecedented psychological pressure in a high-risk area," the statement noted.
The rotation of IAEA employees at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was carried out without Ukraine's consent, prompting a sharp reaction from Kyiv. Ukraine sent a protest note to the IAEA leadership, emphasizing that Russia bears full responsibility for these actions. "It creates artificial obstacles for the activities of international organizations in Ukraine, forcing them to break Ukrainian law," the statement emphasized.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia has effectively restricted the freedom of movement of international experts, using them as a tool of political pressure. Russia also refused to provide security guarantees to IAEA staff, forcing the Agency to accept Russian conditions.
Call to end nuclear blackmail
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the rotation conducted by the IAEA as a "humanitarian evacuation under conditions of threat to life and health of people." It emphasized that only an end to Russian nuclear blackmail and the return of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine's control would allow real monitoring by the IAEA and ensure nuclear safety in Europe.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest facility of its kind in Europe and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022. Russian actions, including shelling in the plant's vicinity, pose a radiation threat with unpredictable consequences, according to authorities in Kyiv. "Forcing the Agency to agree to Russian conditions," the statement explained.
