Ukraine condemns IAEA rotation under Russian pressure
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed outrage over the actions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) due to pressure from Russia.
"Russia effectively forced IAEA personnel to remain at the station for about 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 occurred without Ukraine's consent, provoking 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," it was 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 MFA described the IAEA rotation as a "humanitarian evacuation under conditions of threat to life and health of people." It was 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 such facility in Europe and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022. Russian actions, including shelling the plant area, pose—according to authorities in Kyiv—a radiation threat with unpredictable consequences. "Forcing the Agency to agree to Russian conditions," was explained in the statement.
