The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRI) received the position of European Commission on the critical situation at the nuclear facilities in Ukraine because of the military invasion and Russia taking over Chernobyl NPP, the Exclusion Zone, and Zaporizhzhya NPP.
It was a response to the joint appeal of the Ministry of Energy, SNRI, and the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company of Ukraine “Energoatom” dated 5 March.
The letter by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, on behalf of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen underlines the EC position regarding absolute inadmissibility of the actions committed by the aggressor in Ukraine and any nuclear radiation facilities on its territory, which create unprecedented risks of nuclear incidents.
“The European Commission highly appreciates the efforts of Ukrainian central authorities aimed at countering the military aggression, maintaining nuclear and radiation security on the territory of Ukraine. EC also reiterates the importance of ongoing dialogue with the international partners on the situation regarding Ukrainian NPPs and supports engaging the mechanisms of IAEA, European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), WENRA, HERCA and other international partners ,” the statement reads.
If needed, the parties are ready to join the inspections and verifications to ensure safe operation of Ukrainian NPPs under the auspices of the IAEA mission, provide support to Ukraine in risk assessment and support SNRI in regaining the regulatory control over nuclear power facilities in Ukraine.
“However, in order to provide practical assistance to the regulator and the NPPs in Ukraine, it is crucial to ensure safe access of the representatives of international organizations to the sites. So far, the vital issue of creating the required safety preconditions remains unresolved,” the European Commission added.