New IAEA resolution asking Moscow to spare Ukrainian nuclear power plants
For the third time since the start of the conflict, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has adopted a resolution calling on Moscow to “end all actions in Ukrainian nuclear facilities”, report diplomatic sources. The text presented by Canada and Finland, approved by 24 of the 35 States sitting on the Board of Governors of the IAEA, calls on Russia to immediately withdraw from the Zaporijia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.
Russia and China voted against. Seven countries abstained (Pakistan, India, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia). Two were absent. In the text, the Council “expresses its deep concern” in the face of Russia’s refusal to stop its attacks on Ukrainian nuclear installations.
Two resolutions on the subject had already been adopted, in March and then in September, when the incessant bombardments in Ukraine raised fears of the risk of a nuclear accident. The Zaporijia power plant, the largest in Europe, is of particular concern. Occupied since early March by Russian troops, it is located in one of the territories annexed by Russia. Not far from the line of demarcation between the territories controlled by kyiv and those occupied by Moscow, it is the target of regular bombardments, of which the two camps accuse each other.
Calls to demilitarize have multiplied, without success so far. IAEA inspectors have been there since the beginning of September and the director general of the UN body, Rafael Grossi, has been leading negotiations for several weeks to set up a protection zone around the site. He said on Monday that the IAEA would send nuclear safety and security missions to three operating plants in Ukraine as well as Chernobyl.