Russia again disrupts rotation of IAEA experts at Zaporizhzhya NPP
12 February 18:40
Russia, following its usual pattern of threats and provocations, has once again deliberately disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
This was stated by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Georgiy Tykhyi, [Komersant] reports.
“Today, on February 12, Russia has once again deliberately disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. The Kremlin is following its usual pattern of blackmail, threats and provocations. This time, the occupiers used armed stormtroopers with white flags deployed in the area where the line between the government-controlled territories and the temporarily occupied zone crosses. It was there that the IAEA representatives were supposed to cross,” noted Tychy.
He noted that the scenario of disrupting the rotations is similar every time. First, the Russian side fails to agree on the point and time of the rotation for a long time, then gives vague signals about its alleged readiness to guarantee safe passage, but an hour before the start of the rotation opens fire or starts hostilities in the area. After that, Russian attack aircraft appear with white flags and IAEA flags, and Moscow claims that “everything is ready” for the mission.
“This is not the first time such actions have been repeated, but the security risks are getting higher every time. By organizing such provocations, Russia is trying to force the IAEA to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and send international experts to the ZNPP through the temporarily occupied territories. At the same time, Moscow is blackmailing the Agency by completely blocking the mission’s work. Russian pressure on the IAEA is unacceptable, and we demand that the international community defend the Agency from Russian blackmail,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Tychyi emphasized that over the three years of occupation, Russia has degraded ZNPP, turning the largest nuclear power plant in Europe into a military base.
“This is part of a broader strategy of nuclear threats by Russia and its use of energy as a weapon. The presence of the IAEA prevents Russia from implementing this plan, so it is systematically putting pressure on the Agency, trying to undermine its authority and create conditions under which independent oversight will become impossible,” he said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed confidence that the Kremlin’s attempts to force the IAEA to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will not succeed.
“Ukraine will not allow Russia to use the Agency to legitimize the occupation and will not allow the IAEA’s independence to be undermined. We call on the international community to firmly support the IAEA so that Russia finally realizes that its blackmail and threats will not work,” emphasized Tychy.
on February 5, the IAEA postponed the rotation of its mission to Zaporizhzhya NPP due to the lack of security guarantees from Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the world to support the Agency, whose leadership is under unprecedented pressure from the aggressor state.
