Russia Rejects IAEA Resolution on Ukraine, Accuses Western Countries of Politicising Nuclear Safety
Dragon Media News Desk
Russia has rejected the resolution on nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine adopted at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In a statement issued on September 18, the Russian Foreign Ministry described the resolution, submitted by Canada and Ukraine, as politically motivated and declared that Moscow would not implement its provisions.
The IAEA General Conference voted on the resolution, titled “Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine,” on September 17. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the resolution received 63 votes in favour. It calls for the withdrawal of unauthorised military and other personnel from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the restoration of the facility to Ukraine’s full sovereign control.
The Russian Foreign Ministry argued that the repeated submission of such resolutions at the IAEA’s annual General Conference represents an attempt to introduce political disputes into the Agency’s technical mandate. According to Moscow, Russia and several other countries voted against the resolution, while others abstained or did not participate in the vote. The ministry cited the number of delegations that did not support the initiative, although votes against, abstentions and non-participation represent distinct positions and should not be treated as equivalent.
Moscow objected particularly to provisions concerning territorial sovereignty and control of the nuclear facility. The Russian Foreign Ministry declared that it considered the resolution legally and politically null and void and would not implement any of its provisions. It also reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with what it described as its national legislation and international obligations.
Dispute Over the Safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian statement accused Ukraine of repeatedly targeting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, its personnel and their families, and the nearby city of Enerhodar. Moscow also alleged that the countries sponsoring the resolution had failed to give sufficient attention to these incidents and were prioritising political pressure on Russia.
These allegations represent the official position of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The statement itself does not provide independent technical findings establishing responsibility for each reported attack.
Ukraine and the European Union, meanwhile, maintain that the Russian military presence at the Zaporizhzhia facility has increased nuclear safety risks. In a statement presented at the IAEA General Conference on September 18, the European Union warned that interruptions to the plant’s external electricity supply could endanger the systems required to cool its reactors and spent nuclear fuel. The EU reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of Russian military and other unauthorised personnel from the facility.
Nuclear Safety and the Role of International Institutions
The IAEA’s responsibilities include nuclear safeguards, the promotion of safety standards and the technical assessment of risks associated with nuclear facilities. Performing these functions in an active conflict zone presents particular challenges when technical safety concerns become intertwined with political and legal disputes between states.
Russia maintains that the Agency’s technical mandate is being used to advance political objectives. Ukraine and the resolution’s supporters argue that questions of control and military presence must be addressed to ensure the safety of the nuclear facility.
Despite these differences, preventing a nuclear accident, protecting plant personnel and maintaining the electricity supply necessary for safe operations remain essential security requirements.
The latest Russian Foreign Ministry statement has brought the continuing divisions over Ukraine-related resolutions within the IAEA into renewed focus. Although the resolution has been adopted, disagreements remain over its implementation, the operation and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the role of international technical monitoring at the facility.
