The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the attempts of the Russian Federation to legitimise its illegal control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Russia continues to manipulate the issue of nuclear safety, using ZNPP as an instrument of international pressure and blackmail, which poses a direct threat to the security of the whole Europe.

Russia's illegal interference in the operation of Zaporizhzhia NPP, including through centralised control and actions that threaten the technical stability of the station, is a gross violation of international law and fundamental principles of nuclear safety.

The Kremlin is deliberately restricting the work of international experts and putting pressure on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in an attempt to block the transfer of objective information to the international community.

Any attempts by Russia to impose its own rules on the management of the station, in particular through the actions of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), are illegitimate and threaten the security of the region. We reiterate that no decision on the launch of reactors at Zaporizhzhia NPP can be made without the participation of legitimate Ukrainian regulatory and operational authorities - the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine and NNEGC «Energoatom». No occupation administrations, third-party bodies or representatives of the aggressor state have the right to interfere in the processes related to the safe operation of a Ukrainian nuclear power station.

We remind that the issue of nuclear safety at ZNPP cannot be considered separately from the issue of illegal control over the station. Any attempts by Russia to pass off its presence as normal management are deliberate propaganda designed to conceal the real threat posed by the occupation of Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Ukraine calls on international partners to strengthen joint efforts to stop Russian nuclear blackmail. We demand additional sanctions against Rosatom. We are confident that a complete cessation of any cooperation with this entity and strict international isolation of the nuclear sector of the aggressor state is the right and timely response to Russia's actions at the ZNPP.

We expect the IAEA to take a principled position on Russia's illegal presence on the territory of the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP. The Agency should use all available mechanisms to increase pressure on Russia and withdraw the occupying state's military and personnel from the Ukrainian station.

Returning Zaporizhzhia NPP to full Ukrainian control is the only way to restore nuclear safety and stability. Only the Ukrainian regulator and operator can ensure an appropriate level of nuclear safety at the station in accordance with international standards and IAEA guarantees.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasises: ZNPP was, is and will be Ukrainian. The Russian Federation must immediately withdraw its troops from the territory of the plant, stop nuclear blackmail and attempts to manipulate the issue of global security.

Ukraine will continue to act decisively to restore the rule of law and protect the security of the whole Europe.