Joint statement of the Baltic states on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting

Joint Statement of the Baltic states  - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, delivered by H.E. Merle Pajula, Ambassador of Estonia

Thank You, Madam Chair,

I have the honour to address this Board today on behalf of the  Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We fully align ourselves to the statement delivered by Poland on behalf of the EU member states. We would like to add the following remarks.

Madam Chair,

This week marks three devastating years since Russia seized Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe.

Russia continues to pose a grave risk to the whole world by having converted this site into a military base. The nuclear safety and security risks will persist for as long as Russia continues its war and illegal seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

We commend the Director General and the Agency staff for their tireless work in assisting Ukraine. We reiterate our full support to the continued physical presence of the IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and other Ukrainian facilities, as requested by Ukraine. We note with concern that safe rotation of the IAEA staff at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been jeopardized several times during the last reporting period due to Russian obstruction.

We acknowledge that ensuring the security of IAEA teams is of paramount importance. At the same time,

we encourage the Agency to continue engaging in consultations to ensure safe rotations in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Madam Chair,

Director General Grossi has stated in his recent report and weekly updates that six out of the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during armed conflict continue to be compromised at theZaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The Agency inspectors present at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant continue to report on the presence of Russian troops, other unauthorized personnel and military equipment at the site.  In addition, the access of the Agency inspectors to the western parts of the turbine halls is being restricted, preventing them from fully assessing whether the five principles established by the Director General are being observed at all times.

Due to Russia´s constant and indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the off-site power supply at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plantand other operational nuclear power plants continues to be interrupted. As stated in the Director General’s latest report, the Agency´s missions to Ukraine’s sub-stations have gathered essential evidence highlighting the vulnerability of the electrical grid, resulting from Russia’s attacks.

We are deeply alarmed by Russian drones flying over Ukraine’s nuclear power plants almost on a daily basis. Most recently, one such drone, a Shahed-type UAV, caused a fire on the New Safe Confinement of Chornobyl nuclear power plant, which houses the remains of the Unit 4 reactor. The integrity of Confinement was broken creating radiological risk for the environment. This is completely unacceptable. We commend the Chornobyl nuclear power plant personnel for their courageous work in minimizing the consequences of this act of terror.

Madam Chair,

The list of atrocities that Russia has committed during its unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is inexhaustible as Russia´s aggression continues. Only a just, comprehensive and lasting peace can bring all this to an end.

By invading Ukraine, Russia has gravely violated international law, including the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the IAEA Statute. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its military and all other personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and from the entire territory of Ukraine in accordance  with  the Resolutions of this Board, the IAEA General Conference and the United Nations General Assembly.

Madam Chair,

The Baltic states’ support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unwavering and unconditional.

We call on all to remain united in this endeavour and continue to support Ukraine. 

Thank You, Madam Chair.