The EU requests that the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhia NPP be increased and condemns Russia’s illegal seizure of the plant
“The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the decree of Russian President Putin on the illegal seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the establishment of a government enterprise to that matter. The EU does not recognize and strongly condemns Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Consequently, the decree on the seizure of the ZNPP is illegal and legally null and void.
Russia must fully withdraw its military forces and equipment and hand back control of the NPP to its rightful owner, Ukraine. The seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security as set out by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency must be fully adhered to and respected. A reinforced IAEA presence at the site and its unhindered access to the plant are urgently needed in the interest of the security of Europe as a whole. Nuclear safety and security protection zone must be established immediately, without prejudice to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU strongly supports the efforts of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to this end,” stated High Representative Josep Borrell.
