Ukraine’s MFA calls on G7, European Union to prevent nuclear incident at ZNPP

“Mining and other forms of militarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by Russia pose an immediate threat of a nuclear incident at Europe's largest nuclear power plant,” reads the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine released on Thursday.

It is noted that according to Ukrainian intelligence agencies, “Russia is considering a scenario of committing a terrorist act at the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP. Such a terrorist attack will entail global consequences.”

The Ministry noted that by occupying the ZNPP, Russia grossly violates international law and nuclear safety norms and standards, including the seven IAEA fundamental principles on nuclear safety and security.

“We expect an objective assessment by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi regarding Russia's criminal actions. As a terrorist state, Russia has violated all fundamental principles of international nuclear security law and the vast majority of its own treaty obligations, but was not made to face just consequences for its crimes,” the MFA stressed.

The Ukrainian diplomats called on the international community, in particular the Group of Seven and the EU, to take urgent measures to prevent a nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, including but not limited to introducing strengthened restrictive measures against the Russian nuclear industry and military-industrial complex.

The Ministry also emphasized the need to recognize Russia as a terrorist state and ensure the inevitability of political, economic and legal consequences for all crimes and illegal actions committed by it.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the need for the complete de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. He emphasized that anyone who turned a blind eye to its occupation by Russia was actually contributing to terror.