KYIV-MOSCOW DIALOGUE ON NUCLEAR SAFETY

Context

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General declared on March 10, 2022, that the IAEA had succeeded in establishing a high-level dialogue on nuclear security between Russia and Ukraine.

Key Points

• In Turkey, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency met with the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine. 
• Both countries sent delegations to the event. Both governments decided to create a high-level direct dialogue and continue working with the IAEA at the meeting.

Ukraine's nuclear reactor situation

• According to the IAEA, eight of Ukraine's 15 nuclear reactors are still operational despite the ongoing armed conflict. 
• Russia took control of certain reactors as well.
• Ukraine told the IAEA on March 9 that the Chernobyl nuclear power facility had been unplugged from the energy grid. The spent nuclear fuel is cooled with electricity.
• On the other hand, disconnecting from the electricity grid will have no significant impact on safety because cooling will continue to be provided by reserve diesel generators.

IAEA

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1957 by the IAEA Statute. It does, however, report to both the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Security Council (UNSC) (UNSC).
• The company's headquarters are in Vienna, Austria. Its goal is to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes. It does, however, advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides international safeguards against the misuse of nuclear technology and materials. It encourages the application of nuclear security standards.
• Following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) encouraged both countries to exercise prudence and safeguard the safety of nuclear facilities.