Russia condemns IAEA resolution on nuclear safety and security in Ukraine

International

MOSCOW, Russia (NPA) — Russia has condemned a resolution on nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine adopted at the 70th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Russia said the draft resolution, titled “Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine,” was prepared by Canada and Ukraine and considered and voted on by the IAEA General Conference on September 17, 2026.

The Russian Foreign Ministry described the resolution as a politicised document and accused its sponsors of using the IAEA to pursue political objectives.

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According to the statement, the annual submission of the resolution had become part of what Moscow described as efforts by Kyiv and Western countries to undermine the effective functioning of the agency.

“Like before, the majority of delegations did not support the initiative,” the statement said.

Russia said several countries voted against the draft while others abstained, adding that several dozen IAEA member states did not participate in the vote.

Moscow described the vote as an attempt by a group of Western countries to use the IAEA to advance political objectives, which it said was contrary to the agency’s technical mandate.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), its personnel and their families, as well as the nearby city of Enerhodar.

Russia said the resolution’s sponsors were shielding Ukraine from accountability over what it described as reckless actions and argued that the initiative was not genuinely focused on nuclear safety, nuclear security or IAEA safeguards.

“The resolution is not only openly provocative but also goes far beyond the Agency’s Statute,” the statement said.

Moscow said it regarded the resolution as “legally and politically null and void” and maintained that it would have no consequences under international law.

Russia also said it would not implement any of the resolution’s provisions.

The Russian government said it would continue to ensure the safety and security of the ZNPP in accordance with Russian national legislation and its international obligations.