STATEMENT BY LATVIA
ON BEHALF OF BALTIC STATES - ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING ON MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND SECURITY OF UKRAINE
15 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK
Madam President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Lithuania, and my own country, Latvia. We also align ourselves with the statement to be delivered by the European Union.
We thank the United States and Slovenia for requesting this meeting and Malta’s Presidency for convening it. We appreciate the thorough briefing by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Director- General Grossi.
Madam President,
The Baltic States have repeatedly condemned Russia’s illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. We reiterate our strong call on Russia to withdraw its troops and military equipment from the plant and the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Presence of the Russian military and other unauthorized personnel replacing the experienced Ukrainian-licensed staff at the plant, is illegal and poses a threat to its safe operation. Reports also indicate such dangerous steps as placement of Russia’s troops and vehicles inside the Nuclear Power Plant turbine halls and even laying mines along the perimeter of the plant.
We welcome the role the IAEA has played to monitor safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from the very beginning of its illegal seizure by Russia. Despite Russia’s constant attempts to limit timely access to all areas by the IAEA staff, we commend their tireless efforts in monitoring the plant’s observance of the Director General’s seven indispensable pillars and the five concrete principles. In this regard, we are deeply concerned by the latest news that the Zaporizhzhia plant was directly targeted in a military action, escalating the security risks, including the risk of a nuclear accident at the site. We believe the seven indispensable pillars and the five concrete principles are imperative to uphold, along with the granting full access to the IAEA experts.
Any further escalation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant resulting from Russia’s illegal actions may pose unimaginable consequences, including radioactive contamination, environmental devastation, and widespread humanitarian crisis that could reverberate across borders and generations.
Madam President,
While addressing separate incidents, it is also of utmost importance to maintain focus on the long-term solution. This solution is very simple. If Russia withdrew its forces from the Zaporizhzhia plant and the whole territory of Ukraine, there would be no more concerns about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, as there were none before Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022. Already four resolutions by the IAEA Board of Governors have called for this - the immediate withdrawal of all Russia’s personnel from the Zaporizhzhia plant, which would allow Ukraine to reestablish its full and legitimate control over the plant.
In contrary, Russia’s actions go in the opposite direction. We witness Russia expanding its campaign of attacks on Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure. Russia is trying to brutally subjugate Ukraine and its people by cutting their access to electricity, water and other vital amenities. The only reason for this punishment is Ukraine’s heroic resistance to Russia’s senseless aggression.
On Friday, in this very chamber we heard once again Russia’s accusations about western arms deliveries to Ukraine, which supposedly contribute to escalation of the conflict. But make no mistake about the real cause of Russia’s anxiety. These weapons, including air and missile defence, which Ukraine receives from its international partners, are often the very last obstacle that prevents Russia from achieving its goal of destroying Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and communities.
Madam President,
In closing, let me underline that the international community must not allow Russia to endanger nuclear safety and security in Ukraine or elsewhere any longer. The IAEA needs our full support in fulfilling its mandate. Equally, we must continue to assist Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russia’s attack, including on its civilian infrastructure such as power plants. The Baltic States will continue to resolutely support Ukraine’s legitimate rights to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
I thank you.