“We must reduce our dependence on russian energy carriers, impose economic sanctions against russian companies operating in the nuclear energy sector. In addition, coalition pressure in international organisations, in particular the UN and the IAEA, is important to deprive russia of privileges and immunities and suspend its membership in governing bodies,” said Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko at a meeting of the working group “Presidential Formula for Peace: Radiation and Nuclear Safety” in Prague.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. The meeting was attended by more than 70 representatives of diplomatic missions and organisations from 25 countries and organisations. The event is part of the preparations for the Global Peace Summit to be held in June in Switzerland.

In his speech, German Galushchenko thanked the Czech Republic and other co-chair countries for their active participation in the activities aimed at implementing the provisions of the Peace Formula.

“The implementation of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula will ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide and prevent the recurrence of attacks on nuclear facilities, strengthen international cooperation and the role of the IAEA, as well as restore nuclear and radiation safety at the Zaporizhzhia NPP,” the Minister said. He briefed the participants of the meeting on the current situation at the temporarily occupied ZNPP.

“By their actions at Zaporizhzhia NPP, the russian occupiers violate all principles of nuclear and radiation safety. russia has gradually turned ZNPP into a fortified military facility by mining the perimeter, deploying military equipment and soldiers on the territory of the plant and in the turbine hall. There is a shortage of qualified and licensed personnel, and equipment is degrading,” the Energy Minister stressed.

German Galushchenko reminded that over the two years of russian occupation of ZNPP, there had been eight blackouts when the plant’s needs were met by backup diesel generators.

“Ukraine continues to supply ZNPP with electricity from our power system. However, due to the continuous shelling, the risk of further damage to power lines and blackout of the NPP remains very high. The latest escalation of the situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP with drone strikes proves that the risks of a nuclear accident are only growing. And any nuclear incident at ZNPP could jeopardise the renaissance of nuclear power worldwide,” the Minister stressed.

The Minister also noted that Ukraine had ambitious plans for the development of nuclear energy, which were part of the implementation of the Declaration signed by a number of countries at COP 28 to triple the world’s nuclear power capacity by 2050.