On April 16, a working meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko and a delegation of the international organisation Greenpeace took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

During the talks, the parties exchanged views on the current security situation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety amid the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Particular attention during the meeting was paid to the need for further strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Greenpeace, particularly in the preparation of independent expert assessments aimed at building an evidence base regarding crimes committed by the Russian Federation against nuclear safety and the protection of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

Olexandr Mischenko noted Greenpeace’s important role in raising international awareness of the situation at Ukraine’s nuclear energy facilities. In this context, the Deputy Minister expressed gratitude to Greenpeace for its consistent and principled support for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, in particular for its prompt visit to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone following its de-occupation in 2022 and for preparing independent and objective assessments of the negative consequences of the temporary presence of Russian occupation forces.

The parties also underlined the significance of Greenpeace’s investigation into the deliberate Russian drone strike against the Shelter object at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in February 2025, which caused damage to the outer shell of the New Safe Confinement and created the risk of a radiation leak.

The parties stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive evidence base regarding crimes committed by the Russian Federation against nuclear safety at Ukrainian facilities, including Greenpeace investigations into the militarisation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Russia’s intentions to unlawfully restart the plant’s power units.

In addition, during the meeting the parties raised the issue of the unlawful detention by the Russian Federation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant personnel and other civilians. Olexandr Mischenko stressed the unacceptability of using personnel of nuclear facilities as instruments of pressure and holding Ukrainian citizens hostage, underscoring the need for their prompt release and full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in the further development of cooperation and deepening interaction in the field of nuclear safety.