IAEA Board of Governors’ meeting, June 2023: UK statement on Ukraine

The UK gave a statement on Ukraine at the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors’ meeting where the UK announced a funding uplift of £750,000.

Thank you Chair. The United Kingdom thanks the Director General for his latest report on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine and for the IAEA's vital, independent reporting on the state of nuclear safety and security at Ukraine's nuclear facilities, and in particular the deeply concerning situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

Russia's barbaric attacks on Ukraine's civil infrastructure and its unprecedented and illegal control of the ZNPP runs contrary to all international nuclear safety and security norms. It claims to uphold nuclear safety standards, but its actions say otherwise. By seizing another member state's nuclear power plant, Russia is directly responsible for increasing the risk of a nuclear accident.

The DG's report before us today sets out numerous concerns: a decision to allow Russian military personnel to occupy the plant's onsite emergency centre; the breakdown of vitally important emergency preparedness arrangements; disruption of the plant's maintenance schedule; breakdown of reliable supply chains and the immense pressure placed on the Ukrainian operating personnel and their families.

The Russian Governor attempted to suggest that Ukraine is responsible for the pressure on the Ukrainian staff and their families. He tried to portray Russia as the protector of the plant and it's staff. This is farcical. Clearly, the only reason there is pressure on the Ukrainian staff and their families is Russia's illegal occupation of the plant.

We are also deeply concerned with the nuclear safety risks arising from the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. This is yet another example of the nuclear safety and security impact of Russia's aggression.

As DG Grossi said in his statement to the UN Security Council on 30 May, "this is not sustainable".

Chair, the report confirms that on 22 May the ZNPP lost its connection to the energy grid for the seventh time, forcing the plant onto emergency generators. This underlines the fragility of the systems that ensure the plant can operate safely. Russia has further compromised a precarious situation by refusing to allow the repair of the backup external power lines. Even more concerning are the verified reports that Russia has installed fighting positions on top of all 6 reactor units and its storage of military vehicles in the turbine halls. Chair – how can any responsible nuclear power defend this action?

Chair, in the face of the deteriorating situation at the ZNPP, I take this opportunity to commend the work of the IAEA staff in Ukraine, as well as DG Grossi's relentless efforts to uphold nuclear safety and security. The UK supports his 5 principles for nuclear safety, which he presented to the UN Security Council on 30 May. Observance of these principles would ensure a minimum level of safety and security at ZNPP.

However, the UK remains clear that these principles must also be accompanied by the Russian Federation's full withdrawal from the site and the town of Enerhodar and a return of the plant to the competent Ukrainian authorities. We also echo Ukraine's calls for an uninterrupted power supply from Ukraine to the ZNPP and that Ukrainian operational and maintenance personnel have sufficient access so that the plant can be operated safely.

The UK remains clear that Russia must be held accountable for its barbaric actions and we will continue to pursue every avenue to do so. In May, the UK announced another tranche of sanctions targeting those responsible for prosecuting and supporting Russia's war of aggression. This includes Oleg Romanenko, the senior Rosatom official at ZNPP and the Joint Stock Company Operating Organisation of ZNPP.

To support the IAEA's work in Ukraine the DG's report highlighted the urgent need for further extra-budgetary support for their vital work. The UK has already provided over 5 million euros to support IAEA efforts in Ukraine and I am pleased to announce today that the UK will provide a further 870,000 euros (£750,000) to help facilitate the IAEA's missions in Ukraine.

Thank you Chair.

Find out more about the announcement: Ukraine: UK boosts funding to International Atomic Energy Agency.