US joins Russia, China in opposing resolution condemning attacks on Ukraine’s power grid
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A Russian soldier standing guard at Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - Europe's largest with six reactors - in 2023.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- The IAEA Board passed a resolution on Ukraine's energy infrastructure; the US opposed it for the first time, deeming it "unnecessary" for peace.
- The resolution reemphasised attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, directly threaten nuclear safety and security.
- The US opposition follows President Trump's pressure for a quick peace deal involving Ukraine ceding land to Russia, which Ukraine rejects.
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VIENNA - The United States joined Russia, China, and Niger on March 5 in opposing a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog’s board denouncing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as a threat to nuclear safety, diplomats said.
The resolution, passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, is the seventh on Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbour four years ago.
This is the first time the US has opposed one.
“While we continue supporting the IAEA’s work in-country, we do not support the Board’s current consideration of an unnecessary resolution that does not help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia,” the US said in its statement to the board before the vote.
US President Donald Trump has in the past year pressured Ukraine for a quick peace deal that could involve ceding land to Russia.
Ukraine has ruled out giving up territory.
The IAEA board passed the resolution with 20 votes in favour, including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Argentina, 10 abstentions and the four votes against, diplomats at the closed-door meeting said.
Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia were among the abstentions.
The resolution’s wording was not as strong as previous ones.
The text seen by Reuters said the board “reemphasises that attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the off-site power supply of nuclear power plants, including at the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant), represent a direct threat to nuclear safety and security”.
The move follows the US’ abstention at the UN General Assembly
That resolution passed with 107 countries voting in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions.
The US said at the time that the General Assembly resolution included language likely to distract from ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. REUTERS
