On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, issued a statement urging Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. Kallas emphasized the importance of safeguarding these sites, which have been the focus of extensive international investment and efforts to mitigate the consequences of the 1986 catastrophe.
In her statement, Kallas condemned Russia’s strikes on protective structures at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, noting that such actions undermine decades of work and a €2.1 billion investment aimed at minimizing the disaster’s impact. She also criticized the illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, and the ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which pose additional risks to the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
Kallas called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged adherence to the “Seven Essential Principles of Nuclear Safety,” which include:
- Physical Integrity of Facilities: Ensuring the structural integrity of nuclear installations, reactors, spent fuel pools, and radioactive waste storage sites.
- Functioning Safety Systems: All safety and protective systems, including reactor protection systems, must remain operational.
- Personnel: Operational staff should be able to perform their duties without pressure or stress.
- Power Supply: Reliable and uninterrupted external power supply is essential.
- Logistics and Communication: Continuous supply and communication, including reliable channels with regulatory authorities, are necessary.
- Monitoring: Operational radiation monitoring and emergency response systems must be in place.
- Maintenance: Availability and maintenance of necessary spare parts and equipment are crucial.
“We also reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and safeguards worldwide. We call on the international community to continue and enhance its support for Ukraine, including efforts to repair new safe protection measures, and to collectively consider how best to protect nuclear facilities, especially during wartime,” Kallas stated.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative, has called for an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine's nuclear facilities, emphasizing the need for adherence to nuclear safety principles. Her statement coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster and highlights the risks posed by ongoing military actions.