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

Item 6 “Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine”

20 November 2025

Delivered by Third Secretary Jorens Jakovļevs

Thank you, Chair,

Latvia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by Denmark on behalf of the European Union and the Joint Statement delivered by Canada. Please allow me to add the following remarks in my national capacity.

We thank Director General Grossi for his report and commend the IAEA’s experts for their tireless efforts, courage and professionalism in supporting nuclear safety, security, and safeguards in Ukraine under the most difficult conditions caused by Russia’s war of aggression. IAEA presence at Ukraine’s nuclear sites provides impartial and factual information that is essential for this Board.

Chair,

Latvia condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its seizure and militarization of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the deliberate missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. These strikes have damaged key substations and repeatedly cut off off-site power to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, including the ZNPP, increasing the risk of a nuclear accident.

ZNPP has now suffered ten total losses of off-site power since 2022, which is an unprecedented and unacceptable situation.

We commend the Director General’s mediation efforts that allowed the repair of two power lines to ZNPP. Despite this the situation remains fragile. Diesel generators cannot be a sustainable safety net. All attacks on substations and power lines must stop immediately and the ZNPP’s connection to Ukraine’s grid must be protected from further disruptions.

Chair,

Latvia remains deeply concerned about the conditions at the ZNPP. As underlined in the report, six of the seven indispensable pillars continue to be compromised. Under these unsafe conditions, all reactors must stay in cold shutdown until the plant is handed over to the competent Ukrainian authorities and a thorough safety review is conducted by the IAEA. Any unilateral attempt to restart the plant by the occupiers would be a gross violation of international law and could potentially lead to a nuclear disaster.

Latvia reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We express our full support to the international call for an unconditional ceasefire, as a first step towards achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

Russia must immediately withdraw all military and other unauthorised personnel from Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and return full control of the ZNPP to Ukraine.

Latvia will continue to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and to support the IAEA’s mission to prevent a nuclear accident and uphold international peace and security.

Thank you, Chair.