Lack of sanctions against Rosatom threatens Europe’s nuclear security – Head of Ukraine Mission to the EU

The lack of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union on Russia’s Rosatom poses challenges for the nuclear security of the EU.

The relevant statement was made by Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union Vsevolod Chentsov in an interview with Radio Svoboda [Radio Liberty], an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The work is currently underway, we are trying to put as much pressure as possible and explain why it is important – for both moral and economic reasons – to limit the presence of Rosatom here, at the European level,” Chentsov told.

In his words, Ukraine has its own experience of diversifying nuclear fuel supplies.

“Today, Ukraine is independent. We have experience in diversifying services as well, we can serve our stations quite comfortably without Russians, and such experience is available within the territory of the European Union,” Chentsov noted.

According to Chentsov, the Ukrainian side is trying to give very clear reasons, and “this is the case when we know that it is possible based on our own experience”.

“We are trying to explain to people that Rosatom is essentially part of the Russian occupation army and, together with the Russian military, is taking over the station and participating in the inhumane treatment of our personnel at the station. And you, the European partners, involve essentially the same people,” Chentsov stressed.

In his words, this refers to the nuclear security of the EU.

“No one can rule out that the ‘specialist’ who is taking over Zaporizhzhia NPP today will not come tomorrow to service the station in Slovakia or Bulgaria. If such individuals are not included on the sanctions list, if the company and its presence are not limited, this is a challenge for the nuclear security of the European Union. That is, here the question is not only about punishing Russia and the company, but also that they simply understand the level of danger from this company that exists today,” Chentsov concluded.

A reminder that France, Hungary and Bulgaria are blocking the EU’s sanctions against Russia’s nuclear industry, namely Rosatom.