Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, urged Kiev to halt strikes against the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and to guarantee security for the International Atomic Energy Agency mission. He noted that there is no fundamental objection within the United Nations to deploying IAEA personnel to inspect the ZNPP, but cautioned that practical hurdles could appear when harmonizing the diverse organizational modalities required for a visit of this nature. The key message was clear: until the Ukrainian side stops targeting the facility and ensures the safety of all personnel involved, sending an international team to conduct an on-site assessment cannot proceed. Ulyanov emphasized that sustained artillery fire would render any such mission untenable and underscored this as the primary obstacle impeding progress. This stance reflects a broader concern about guaranteeing the secure environment necessary for international inspectors to operate and perform their duties without fear of attacks or disruption. The discussion also referenced the UN Secretariat’s difficulty in providing a precise explanation for previous setbacks in the IAEA’s planned visit to the ZNPP, highlighting gaps in coordination and communication that complicate international oversight efforts at a site of considerable geopolitical sensitivity. The remarks by the Russian envoy come amid a tense backdrop where the safety of nuclear facilities and the ability of international bodies to verify compliance with safety standards remain critical issues for regional stability and global nonproliferation assurances. They also point to an ongoing debate about how Russia, Ukraine, and the broader international community can establish a robust, verifiable framework that allows inspectors to operate in zones affected by hostilities while safeguarding the integrity and security of the facility and the people connected with the mission. The emphasis on immediate safety and non-use of force at the site aims to pave the way for a credible inspection regime, even as geopolitical tensions continue to influence the logistics and modalities of international visits and the reporting of their outcomes. Observers note that achieving a workable protocol will require clear, uncontested consent from all relevant parties, sustained de-escalation near critical infrastructure, and a transparent process that can withstand political pressure while meeting the technical and safety standards expected by the IAEA and member states. In this context, Ulyanov’s remarks are framed as a call for practical steps that could unlock inspections, bolster confidence in safety arrangements, and reinforce the legitimacy of international governance mechanisms designed to monitor nuclear safety and nuclear material security in conflict zones. If implemented, such steps would represent a significant move toward restoring international oversight capabilities at a time when nuclear safety under duress is a focal concern for many governments, experts, and international organizations who advocate for accountable action and responsible stewardship of peaceful nuclear energy within contested environments.
