Ukrainian Parliament Calls on Partners to Strengthen Nuclear Security and Pressure on Russia

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as reported by a correspondent from Ukrinform, has passed Resolution No. 15133, which received support from 311 deputies. This resolution marks a significant step in the context of maintaining nuclear security both in Ukraine and globally, especially considering the approaching 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

In the document, the Ukrainian parliament appeals to the parliaments and governments of foreign states, as well as to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The primary objective of this appeal is to prevent the Russian Federation from violating the international nuclear security regime, which could result from targeted attacks on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The Verkhovna Rada calls on international partners to intensify efforts to bolster global nuclear security. This includes the development of new effective mechanisms for the protection of nuclear facilities, as well as establishing accountability for violations of nuclear safety norms and regulations.

Moreover, the parliamentarians urge the international community to compel Russia to cease its violations at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Specifically, this involves the withdrawal of Russian military forces from the plant's territory, the cessation of control, and the halting of shelling that could threaten nuclear safety.

The Verkhovna Rada's appeal also contains a call for the international community to unite in restoring damaged Ukrainian nuclear facilities. The parliamentarians emphasize the need to ramp up efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace based on Ukraine's territorial integrity, as well as to increase assistance to Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor state.

Particular attention in the document is given to the donor conference scheduled for April 26, 2026. The Verkhovna Rada urges international partners to participate in this conference and to finance the restoration of the Chernobyl confinement.

It is noteworthy that the Assembly of Donors of the International Cooperation Fund plans to redistribute 30 million euros for the preparation of engineering solutions and the procurement of equipment for the restoration of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Importantly, on the night of February 14, 2025, a Russian strike drone with an explosive warhead hit the shelter above the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. According to assessments by IAEA experts, the new safe confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, damaged during this strike, lost its primary safety functions. However, they noted that the main structures and monitoring systems did not suffer permanent damage.

Thus, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine underscores the importance of international cooperation in the field of nuclear security, especially in the context of aggression from the Russian Federation, and calls for active measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.