The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the joint statement delivered during the meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors by 47 Member States of the Agency and the European Union regarding the Russian strike on the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The joint statement delivered by the Ukrainian delegation demonstrated broad international support for Ukraine and clearly reaffirmed that Russian aggression remains the root cause of the unprecedented risks to nuclear safety and security in Europe.

We welcome the partner states' resolute condemnation of the Russian strike on the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility, which also resulted in damage to premises utilized by IAEA experts. This attack serves yet another proof that Russia continues to deliberately disregard international norms and the decisions of the Agency's governing bodies.

Of particular significance is the call articulated in the statement for the Russian Federation to cease attacks on Ukrainian nuclear facilities and the critical infrastructure necessary for their safe operation, in accordance with number of the IAEA Board of Governors and the General Conference resolutions.

Ukraine is grateful to the states that joined the statement and continue to consistently uphold the principles of international law, nuclear safety, and accountability.

We expect that the clear stance of the international community will be reinforced by further practical steps aimed at increasing pressure on the aggressor state and halting Russia's actions, which pose a threat to the nuclear safety of Ukraine and the entire region.