An emergency meeting of the 35-nation International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Governing Council was convened on Thursday at Russia's request to discuss the attacks on the Moscow-controlled Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine. reported four diplomats quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
On Sunday, the plant, which is Europe's largest, was attacked by drones, hitting the building of one of the reactors, the IAEA said, adding that nuclear safety was not affected.
Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which both sides deny.
Russia's ambassador to the IAEA, Mikhail Ulyanov, said last night that his country had convened an emergency meeting of the Governing Council "in connection with the latest attacks and provocations by the armed forces of Ukraine against the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant”.
The IAEA has not yet confirmed the date of the meeting. The Governing Council's rules state that any country on it, including Russia, can call a meeting. Wednesday is a day off at the United Nations in Vienna because of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan Bayram, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Governing Council is the highest decision-making body of the IAEA and meets more than once a year. Russia is likely to again blame Ukraine for the recent drone strikes on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, but is unlikely to get broad support from the Council, which last month passed a resolution calling on Moscow to withdraw control of the plant.
The IAEA did not blame either side for the attacks, but insisted that they be stopped.
„Such reckless attacks greatly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must be stopped immediately,” IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Sunday.