Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA

This was reported by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi.  

According to him, this time the occupiers used armed assault troops with white flags positioned in the crossing zone between Ukrainian-controlled territory and the temporarily occupied area, where the IAEA representatives were supposed to rotate.  

Tykhyi noted that the pattern of disruption remains the same. First, Russia delays confirming the time and location of the rotation. Then, it signals vague readiness to ensure safe passage. However, an hour before the scheduled rotation, Russian forces open fire or initiate combat in the area. Shortly after, Russian assault troops appear with white flags and IAEA banners, while Moscow claims everything is ready for the mission. These provocations have been repeated multiple times, with increasing security risks.  

"By staging such provocations, Russia is attempting to pressure the IAEA into violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by forcing the experts to access the Zaporizhzhia NPP via occupied territories. At the same time, Moscow is blackmailing the agency by threatening to completely block its mission. Russian pressure on the IAEA is unacceptable, and we call on the international community to defend the agency from Russian coercion," Tykhyi emphasized.

He also added that after three years of occupation, Russia has degraded the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, turning Europe's largest nuclear facility into a military base.  

"This is part of Russia's broader strategy of nuclear threats and its use of energy as a weapon. The presence of the IAEA obstructs Russia’s plans, which is why it systematically pressures the agency, attempts to undermine its authority, and seeks to create conditions that would make independent oversight impossible," the statement reads.  

Heorhiy Tykhyi stressed that "the Kremlin’s attempts to force the IAEA into violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will not succeed."  

"Ukraine will not allow Russia to use the agency to legitimize the occupation or to undermine the IAEA’s independence. We call on the international community to stand firmly with the IAEA, ensuring that Russia finally realizes its tactics of blackmail and threats will not work," Tykhyi concluded.U.S. 

• Special Representative Keith Kellogg says that the chance of Ukraine regaining nuclear state status is "between slim and none."