First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal informed International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi about Russia’s preparations for another large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including possible strikes on facilities and networks supporting nuclear power plants.
During the discussion, the parties agreed to jointly hear briefings from the heads of Ukrainian nuclear power plants and the leaders of IAEA missions operating at these facilities in the near future. They also discussed the need to convene an extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to assess the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power system.
In turn, Rafael Grossi noted that the Agency is preparing a report and a methodology to assess the impact of Russian attacks on the operation of nuclear power plants.
“The continued presence of IAEA missions at Ukrainian energy facilities is of strategic importance for us. The IAEA is preparing a new mission of Agency experts to Ukrainian nuclear power plants, in particular to Zaporizhzhia, as well as to substations whose operation affects the functioning of nuclear facilities. I am grateful for this decision,” said Denys Shmyhal. He also stressed the inadmissibility of transferring IAEA missions to temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine through the territory of the Russian Federation.
Denys Shmyhal thanked the IAEA for its partnership and active involvement in efforts to stabilize the situation at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The parties also agreed to continue coordination on financing Ukraine’s critical energy needs.
