G7 NSSG concerned for ZNPP, Chernobyl site
The Nuclear Safety and Security Group (NSSG) of the G7, established at the Kananaskis Summit in 2002, has re-expressed its concern for the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine in general.
In particular, the NSSG reiterated its concern about the continuous threats posed by Russia’s actions to the safety and security of the southeastern Ukraine-located Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe‘s largest and among the world‘s 10 largest, and the ongoing critical situation at the Chernobyl site.
For the ZNPP, the group says in its 2024 Report that it is particularly worried about destroyed cooling water system, the recurrent loss of external power supply, the recent Russian ban on Ukrainian staff, the placement of landmines and the lack of comprehensive preventative maintenance at the site.
The NSSG restated that it is very important that Russia refrains from taking any further actions that could cause a nuclear incident at the ZNPP and that the full control of the plant be returned to the Ukrainian authorities.
The NSSG said it “continues to be highly concerned” about the critical situation still existing at the Chernobyl site. The group elaborated that the delays in the acquisition of essential firefighting equipment in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and in the removal of unstable parts of the Chernobyl Object Shelter were still making the situation particularly critical.
The International Chernobyl Cooperation Account, a fund established in November 2020 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the request of the government of Ukraine to finance the projects in the area of nuclear and radiation safety at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant site and in Exclusion Zone, has activities framed within to support these and Ukraine’s other nuclear safety and security matters. The NSSG said it recognizes the importance of those actions.
The group also commended the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in helping Ukraine ensure that its nuclear power plants and nuclear and other radioactive facilities and materials are safe and secure. Moreover, the group said it recognizes G7’s important, ongoing multilateral and bilateral forms of support and material assistance for both Ukraine and the IAEA.
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