On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the European Union called on Russia to stop attacks on Ukrainian nuclear facilities
The Head of Diplomacy of the European Union Kaia Kallas and the European Commission, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, called on Russia to immediately stop strikes on nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
The joint statement was published by the press service of the European External Action Service. The document recalled that the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred forty years ago, is one of the worst nuclear accidents in the history of mankind, and its real scale was concealed by the Soviet authorities, which is why a fuller understanding of the consequences came only with time.
“To this day, its consequences remain a stark reminder that ensuring nuclear safety depends on transparency, reliable guarantees and international cooperation. However, today, Moscow’s continuous attacks on the “New Protective Shelter” of the Chernobyl NPP … undermine decades of international efforts and investments worth 2.1 billion euros aimed at mitigating the consequences of the disaster,” the statement said.
The EU also stressed that Russia’s illegal seizure and prolonged occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant significantly exacerbates threat to people and the environment. Separately, the statement pointed to Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, since a stable electricity supply is necessary for the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
“On this tragic anniversary, we call on Russia to immediately cease all attacks on nuclear facilities in Ukraine and to adhere to the “Seven Irreplaceable Principles of Nuclear Safety and Physical Security in Armed Conflict”. Russia will be held accountable for creating a threat to public safety, must compensate for the damage caused and return full control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP to Ukraine”, – the EU emphasized.
