Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded that Russia immediately withdraw from the Ukrainian nuclear power plant occupied in Zaporizhzhia. Soldiers must withdraw and facilities must be returned to Ukrainian control, according to a resolution adopted last night at the IAEA’s annual general conference in Vienna.
The resolution also called for IAEA observers permanently stationed at the nuclear plant to have free access to all areas of the facility. So far, IAEA staff have been denied access to the roofs of several reactors.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi recently expressed concern about limited technical maintenance and Russian military presence at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Grossi also repeatedly warned of a serious nuclear accident due to fighting around the nuclear power plant near the front.
The resolution was adopted with the votes of 69 states. Six countries, including Russia, China and Iran, voted against. 32 countries, including Pakistan and South Africa, abstained from voting.