G7 statement on Nuclear Safety at Zaporizhzhya

Brussels, 11 August 2022 (TDI): The G7 Foreign Ministers, on Wednesday, gave a statement condemning the ongoing war of Russia against Ukraine.

They showed their support for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its efforts to promote nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

“IAEA staff must be able to access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine safely and without impediment” G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement in support of the @iaeaorg efforts to promote Nuclear Safety and Security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukrainehttps://t.co/8qPL9X9bj9

— European External Action Service – EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) August 10, 2022

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), and the High Representative of the European Union (EU), reiterated their strong support against the Russian Aggression.

In their statement, they urged the Russian Federation to “immediately withdraw its troops from within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and respect Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty.”

Remarks on Russian controlled Nuclear plant

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in southeastern Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world. It is reportedly controlled by the Russian company Rosatom.

In that context, referring to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Russia should give back Ukraine its authority over all the nuclear facilities so they can ensure their peace and security, the G7 Ministers in their statement added.

“We remain profoundly concerned by the serious threat that the seizure of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and other actions by Russian armed forces pose to the safety and security of these facilities, significantly raising the risk of a nuclear accident or incident and endangering the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community.”

These threats, they added, might hinder the IAEA from peacefully managing and monitoring nuclear activities undergoing in Ukraine.

The IAEA is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.

The Director-General of IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, will brief the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

Within the framework of this reference, the G7 Ministers expressed their full support to the Director-General and the IAEA staff for their “steadfast commitment”.

“We underline the importance of facilitating a mission of IAEA experts to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to address nuclear safety, security and safeguard concerns, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its territory and infrastructure.”

“We strongly endorse the importance of the Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security as outlined by Director-General Grossi”, they added.

The seven pillars of nuclear safety and security are “physical integrity, functionality, capability of staff without pressure, secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites, uninterrupted logistical supply chains, effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems, and reliable communications with the regulator.”

The G7 Ministers showed their full support for the steps taken by IAEA and its staff for nuclear safety and security.

“We reiterate our full and continued support for the IAEA. IAEA staff must be able to access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine safely and without impediment, and engage directly, and without interference, with the Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of these facilities.”

Furthermore, “The safety of all individuals implementing these efforts must be addressed to strengthen nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.” “We encourage all countries to support the IAEA’s efforts”, the G7 Foreign Ministers added.