In a recent address to the U.N. Security Council, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighted the urgent need for Russia and Ukraine to commit to safeguarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Grossi emphasized that the world has been fortunate to avoid a nuclear accident in Ukraine thus far, but he warned that the current situation poses a significant risk and urged both countries to take immediate action.
Grossi stressed that preventing a catastrophic incident is achievable if five essential principles are observed at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He emphasized that these principles are crucial, particularly in light of the recent disruptions to critical power supplies caused by ongoing fighting near the plant. Grossi expressed concern that such disruptions undermine the plant’s ability to serve as a last line of defense against a potential nuclear accident.
The IAEA director-general respectfully requested Ukraine and Russia to abide by the following principles, with IAEA experts set to monitor compliance at the Zaporizhzhia plant:
- Prohibit attacks on or from the plant, specifically targeting reactors and spent fuel storage areas.
- Ban the storage of heavy weapons and the presence of military personnel that could be used to mount an attack.
- Ensure the uninterrupted off-site power supply to the plant remains secure.
- Safeguard all critical structures, systems, and components essential to the plant’s operation against attacks or sabotage.
- Refrain from taking any actions that undermine these principles.
Grossi appealed to all 15 Security Council members to support these principles, highlighting that their implementation would benefit everyone without causing harm to any party involved.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin took control of the Zaporizhzhia plant. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly opposes any proposal that legitimizes Russia’s control over the facility.
During the Security Council meeting, neither the Russian nor Ukrainian ambassador committed to supporting the principles put forth by Grossi. Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya accused Russia of actively using the nuclear plant for military purposes. He alleged that Russia had placed mines around the plant and caused significant damage through shelling. Kyslytsya claimed that Russian military personnel, along with heavy weapons and explosives, were present at the plant.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern over recent reports suggesting that Moscow had disconnected vital radiation monitoring sensors at the Zaporizhzhia plant, resulting in the transfer of plant data to the Russian nuclear regulator. Thomas-Greenfield denounced this action as a clear escalation of Russia’s attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and authority over the plant. She emphasized that the plant belongs to Ukraine, and its data must remain under Ukrainian control.
Grossi addressed this issue, acknowledging that the flow of information from the plant had been interrupted by the Russian management in control. He confirmed that discussions were underway with the Russian management to rectify the situation and ensure that information is transmitted to the Ukrainian regulator. While acknowledging that this solution is not ideal, Grossi emphasized the importance of the IAEA’s presence in bridging these information gaps.
Expressing skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the principles, U.K. Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward cited recent imagery showing Russian forces establishing fighting positions on the roofs of reactor buildings. Woodward viewed this as an indication that Russia has incorporated the nuclear power plant into its tactical defense planning.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia denied allegations of attacks, heavy weapon placement, or the presence of military personnel at the plant for the purpose of launching an attack. Nebenzia refuted the claims made by Ukraine and emphasized Russia’s commitment to the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Despite the challenges and differing viewpoints, Grossi remained cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the Security Council meeting. He acknowledged the progress made toward consensus and highlighted the practical approach taken by the IAEA in addressing the situation. Grossi emphasized that the agency has not sought rigid resolutions but rather a collaborative effort to ensure the prevention of a nuclear accident.
When asked about the explicit reference to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity in any agreement, Grossi acknowledged the difficulty of achieving universal consensus on this matter. However, he reiterated the IAEA’s firm stance that the U.N. Charter should never be violated, and national borders should not be altered through the use of force. Grossi emphasized that as part of the U.N. system, the IAEA has a clear operational mandate to take further measures to prevent a nuclear accident.
The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a cause for concern, as the risk of a catastrophic incident looms. The IAEA, under the leadership of Rafael Mariano Grossi, continues to advocate for the observance of crucial principles to protect the plant from attacks. With tensions between Russia and Ukraine persisting, the international community must remain vigilant and work towards ensuring the safety and security of this critical nuclear facility.
