The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling on Russia to immediately withdraw its military and personnel from the Ukrainian atomic power plant, Zaporizhia. The resolution was introduced by Ukraine and supported by over 50 countries, including Germany. The resolution demands that Russia return control of the plant to Ukraine and emphasizes the importance of nuclear safety.
The resolution was passed with 99 votes in favor, 9 against (Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua, North Korea, and Eritrea), and 60 abstentions. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it carries significant political weight and reflects the international community’s concern about the situation at Zaporizhia.
The Ukrainian permanent representative to the UN, Serhij Kyslyzja, stated that Russia has intentionally made the atomic power plant a part of its military strategy in southern Ukraine. Any incident at the plant could have severe consequences, as “radiation knows no borders.” The Russian UN ambassador, Dmitri Polyanskij, dismissed the resolution as overtly political and unrelated to nuclear safety. He also accused Ukraine of being the true threat to the power plant and its infrastructure, and claimed that Russia has been forced to defend itself.
The UN General Assembly’s support for the resolution underscores the international community’s commitment to the principles of nuclear safety and non-proliferation. The resolution also supports the mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been monitoring events at the plant since Russia’s invasion in early March 2022. The IAEA has expressed concern about attacks on the plant using drones and other military actions in the area, which have resulted in water shortages, forest fires, and temporary power outages.
The situation at Zaporizhia remains tense, with ongoing military operations in the surrounding area and continued concerns about nuclear safety. The international community must continue to support efforts to protect the plant and ensure that it is returned to Ukrainian control as soon as possible.