New York, 12 August 2022 (TDI): The Republic of Lithuania issued a joint statement on behalf of the three Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, at the Security Council meeting against the Russian military occupation of the Ukrainian city, Zaporizhzhya, on Thursday.
🇱🇻 strongly condemns Russian military occupation of #Zaporizhzhya NPP & threats to its employees. Russia creates a nuclear security threat to the entire European continent. We call on Russia to return #NPP under control of 🇺🇦 & provide secure conditions for the @iaeaorg mission. pic.twitter.com/SjsGFubsVD
— Latvian MFA 🇱🇻 | #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 (@Latvian_MFA) August 12, 2022
In the statement, the states addressed the unprecedented nuclear risk that the presence of the Russian military has caused in the region closer to the border regions of the states.
They highlighted Russia’s “irresponsible actions” in the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. It further explains that the Baltic States condemn Russia’s war in the strongest possible terms.
According to these Baltic States, Russia has violated International law by the unjustified invasion of its peaceful neighbor and must be held accountable for its illegal actions in Ukraine.
Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian military has occupied the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant since March, and the military actions threaten regional security.
Russia’s reckless military operations from the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) were a concern for these Baltic states because there had been many harmful incidents at the NPP.
The states agreed to call upon Russia to immediately cease its aggression and withdraw its troops from the whole territory of Ukraine. Russia should fully comply with its obligations under International law, according to the Baltic states.
In addition, the states demanded the termination of all Russian military operations in Ukraine and withdrawal of its troops from Ukrainian territory. The states also stressed the need for an IAEA-led international mission at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
