Statement on the occasion of the IAEA Board of Governors
on behalf of the Republic of Estonia by H.E. Ambassador Arti Hilpus
Vienna, 19-21 November 2025
Agenda item 6: Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine
Distinguished Chair,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union, as delivered by Denmark and the Joint Statement delivered by Canada. I would like to make some additional remarks in my national capacity.
Chair,
We reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
its seizure and militarization of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and strikes against Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, including attacks on energy workers seeking to repair the damage caused. Russia’s actions vividly demonstrate that it is holding nuclear safety hostage in an attempt to achieve imperialistic goals.
We take note of the recent report by the Director General that during the reporting period, drone activities continued to be observed and reported in close proximity to all Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, with strikes reported near some of the sites. Moreover, there were continued reports of military activities affecting the stability and reliability of off-site power at Ukraine’s NPP-s, with a potential adverse impact on their safe operation.
By starting the illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation bears full and sole responsibility for the dangerous situation that has developed in Ukraine, including constant threats to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.
Chair,
On September 23, 2025 the ZNPP suffered its tenth and longest total loss of off-site power since the start of Russia’s aggression, greatly increasing the risk of a nuclear accident and demonstrating the extremely precarious situation at the site. Six of the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security continue to be compromised fully or partially, also the five concrete principles have been undermined.
Under such circumstances, all six of the ZNPP reactors must remain in cold shutdown until the plant is handed over to Ukrainian authorities, and a thorough safety review is conducted by the IAEA.
We are highly concerned that Russia is preparing for concrete steps with the intent to connect and integrate Ukraine’s ZNPP into the Russian power grid. We stress that any such actions are unacceptable and constitute a gross violation of international law,
and of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. All attempts to unilaterally restart the ZNPP under Russian control could potentially lead to a nuclear disaster.
If Russia establishes a practice that nuclear facilities can be seized by force, and integrated into occupying powers’ infrastructure, such a precedent would have terrifying implications for the nuclear security worldwide.
Chair,
We commend the Director General and the Agency for their tireless work in assisting Ukraine. The continued presence of IAEA experts at Ukrainian nuclear facilities and monitoring of electrical substations, as requested by Ukraine, are indispensable for nuclear safety. We encourage the Agency to continue its monitoring missions, including the review of the state of substations critical for the nuclear safety of Ukraine’s NPP-s.
Estonia reiterates its unconditional and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its military and all other personnel from Ukraine’s ZNPP and from the entire territory of Ukraine, in accordance with the UN Charter, Resolutions of this Board, the IAEA General Conference and the UN General Assembly.
Thank You, Chair.
