Ukraine condemns Russian official Kiriyenko's illegal stay on territory of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

The corresponding statement was published on the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's website. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses a strong protest in connection with the illegal entry of the official of the administration of the President of the Russian Federation Sergey Kiriyenko to the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region, including his stay at the Ukrainian nuclear facility – the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” the statement says. 

It is noted that such illegal actions by officials of the aggressor state are yet another gross violation of international law and the legislation of Ukraine. This step by the Kremlin also demonstrates its complete disregard for the demands of the three resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, that call upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military and other personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, in order for the competent Ukrainian authorities to regain full control of the plant to ensure its safe and secure operation.

In a statement, the ministry emphasizes that Ukraine is counting on the effective and efficient efforts of the IAEA Member States, as well as IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, in countering Russia's crimes against Ukraine's nuclear facilities and cynical disregard for current nuclear safety and security standards.

The ministry also called on partner states and EU institutions to speed up the introduction of effective measures to respond to Russia's ongoing criminal actions against Ukrainian nuclear facilities. These measures should include the expansion of sanctions against the Russian Rosatom corporation, its affiliated companies and institutions, as well as against other key factors of the nuclear energy industry of the Russian Federation.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the urgency of speeding up the implementation of mechanisms that would allow to completely stop cooperation with the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear technologies. Also, these mechanisms should limit the rights and privileges of Russia within the IAEA.

“We expect a consistent and uncompromising position of all members of the international community in ensuring binding political, economic and legal consequences for the terrorist state for all its crimes and illegal actions. We emphasize the importance of bringing all criminals to justice and the irreversibility of punishment,” the statement says.