The EU has called on Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear facilities ahead of the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the European Union called on Russia to immediately cease its attacks on nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
In a joint statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and the European Commission emphasized that the Chernobyl accident remains a reminder of the importance of transparency, international cooperation, and nuclear safety guarantees.
At the same time, the EU noted that Russia’s strikes on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, particularly on the “New Safe Confinement,” undermine long-standing international efforts to address the consequences of the disaster.
The statement also emphasizes that the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure pose serious risks to nuclear safety.
The European Union called on Russia to adhere to international safety principles, return control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP to Ukraine, and compensate for the damage caused.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is launching a large-scale fundraising effort to restore the damaged shelter over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was struck by a Russian drone. The project involves hundreds of millions of euros and is expected to take several years to restore the structure to full functionality by the end of the decade.
A Chernobyl NPP employee and five National Guard soldiers who were on duty guarding the facility remain in Russian captivity. This was reported by Serhiy Tarakanov, Director General of the State Specialized Enterprise “Chernobyl NPP.”
