German Galushchenko to heads of EU delegations: russians have illusion that they control situation at ZNPP

Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with the heads of delegations of the European Union countries to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The meeting was held in Vienna as part of the events organised for the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.

The Head of the Ministry of Energy thanked the partners for supporting Ukraine and electing it to the IAEA Board of Governors, which opens up opportunities to use international platforms even more actively to put pressure on the russian aggressor.

German Galushchenko reminded that today marked exactly two years since the russian occupation of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Ukrainian ZNPP. He briefed the participants of the meeting on the current situation at the facility and stressed the threats to nuclear and radiation safety not only in Ukraine but also in the whole world.

“Even the slightest incident at ZNPP can stop the renaissance of nuclear power worldwide. The russians have the illusion that they are in control of the situation, but in fact they are not. The expiry of nuclear fuel, the non-admission of professional licensed personnel, degradation of equipment at the plant are all real threats that can lead to irreparable consequences. And it is only a matter of time,” he said.

The Minister told the participants of the meeting about large-scale exercises of emergency services in Ukraine to overcome the consequences of a possible terrorist attack at ZNPP. He emphasised that such exercises were prepared taking into account real weather conditions, wind direction and other aspects that could affect the spread of the consequences of the disaster. Given their results, the consequences of the ZNPP accident may be felt not only in Ukraine but also in Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and other countries.

To prevent such scenarios from happening, the international community must force russia to leave ZNPP and transfer the nuclear power plant to the control of a legitimate, professional Ukrainian operator.

The Minister called for support for the draft resolution of the Board of Governors on the situation at ZNPP prepared by Ukraine.