MFA Ukraine responds to Russian attempts to legitimize control over Zaporizhzhia NPP

The ministry said this in a statement, according to Ukrinform.

The ministry stressed that Russia's illegal interference with the operation of ZNPP, including centralized control and actions that threaten the technical stability of the facility, constitutes a gross violation of international law and fundamental nuclear safety principles. At the same time, the Kremlin is deliberately limiting the work of international experts and exerting pressure on the IAEA in an attempt to block the dissemination of objective information to the global community.

"Any attempts by Russia to impose its rules for managing the station, including through the actions of the state corporation Rosatom, are illegitimate and pose a threat to regional security. We once again emphasize that no decision regarding the start-up of reactors at the Zaporizhzhia NPP can be made without the involvement of the legitimate Ukrainian regulatory and operational bodies – the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate and the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom. No occupying administrations, external bodies, or representatives of the aggressor state have the right to interfere in processes related to the safe operation of Ukraine's nuclear plant," the statement said.

The ministry recalled that the issue of nuclear safety at the ZNPP cannot be considered separately from the issue of illegal control over the station. Any attempts by Russia to present its presence as "normal management" are deliberate propaganda aimed at concealing the real threat posed by the occupation of the ZNPP.

The ministry calls on international partners to strengthen joint efforts to end Russian nuclear blackmail and demands the imposition of additional sanctions against Rosatom.

"We are confident that a complete cessation of any cooperation with this entity and strict international isolation of the nuclear sector of the aggressor state is the correct and timely response to Russia's actions at the ZNPP," the ministry said.

It emphasized that it expects the IAEA to take a principled stance on Russia's illegal presence at the occupied ZNPP. The diplomats stated that the agency "must use all available mechanisms to increase pressure on Russia and withdraw military personnel and agents of the occupying state from the Ukrainian plant."

"The return of the Zaporizhzhia NPP under full control of Ukraine is the only way to restore nuclear safety and stability. Only Ukrainian regulators and operators can ensure the proper level of nuclear safety at the station in accordance with international standards and IAEA guarantees," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

It stressed that the ZNPP was, is, and will be Ukrainian. Russia must immediately withdraw its troops from the plant's territory, stop nuclear blackmail, and cease attempts to manipulate global security issues.

Ukraine will continue to act resolutely to restore the rule of law and protect the security of all of Europe, the ministry said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated earlier that Russia is "professionally" managing the occupied Ukrainian ZNPP and that a restart of the plant could be possible within months after a potential ceasefire agreement is reached.

Photo: Konstantin Liberov