Europe Asia News

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that the draft resolution on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine received 63 votes in favor.

He said the resolution reaffirmed fundamental principles such as ensuring nuclear safety and security, compliance with international law, the withdrawal of Russia's unauthorized military and other personnel from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), and the restoration of Ukraine's full sovereign control over the facility.

Thanking Canada for its leadership in advancing the draft resolution and all IAEA member states that supported it, Sybiha said that 49 countries and the European Union also backed a joint statement calling for the immediate release of detained Ukrainian ZNPP personnel.

Sybiha said that Serhii Korzh, a ZNPP staff member whom he said is being detained by Russia, has been held since 2022; Serhii Potyng was tortured while in captivity and is currently suffering from serious health problems; and Ruslan Lavryk has reportedly also been subjected to torture and urgently needs medical care.

Stating that these individuals are nuclear energy specialists whose expertise is vital to the safe operation of the ZNPP, Sybiha said: “They cannot be used as bargaining chips in Russia's war against Ukraine.”