Poland and Canada are requesting that an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency be held no later than March 2 in connection with the situation in Ukraine and the related implications for nuclear safety, the Polish National Atomic Energy Agency announced on Sunday.
"The reasons for submitting the application include the loss of control by the Ukrainian authorities as a result of the military actions over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the nuclear materials located there, as well as military operations by the Russian Federation in the vicinity of this facility and other nuclear power plants in Ukraine."
It was emphasized that carrying out activities threatening nuclear power plants violates article 56 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, on the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, the provisions of which prohibit attacks on nuclear power plants and other targets located on or in the vicinity of them."
Ukraine has four nuclear power plants with 15 reactors, which cover roughly half of the country's electricity needs. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi indicated that he remained seriously concerned about the situation in Ukraine and called on all parties to refrain from any action that could endanger the safety of nuclear materials and the safe operation of all nuclear facilities. He stressed that any irresponsible incident could have serious consequences for human health and the environment.
Poland also calls for the immediate exclusion of Russians from the structures of IAEA who may be responsible for "slow-walking" of any decision right now, including the above-mentioned meeting.
"Unfortunately, there are also Russians in these international bodies. We are convinced that some delays or difficulties in pushing through strong positions are the influence of the Russian workers and Russian authorities in all these organizations. We call for the immediate exclusion of Russians from both the authorities and excluding Russian workers from these structures. We cannot trust their objectivity in any way, and the matter is serious - nuclear safety is the main element of security "- said Climate Minister Anna Moskwa.
