Ukraine is demanding the suspension of Russia's participation in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors during an extraordinary meeting. This comes in the context of Kyiv's response to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system.
Redaksiya, citing EADaily, reports that an extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors is being held in the Austrian capital. Prior to the meeting, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, stated that the meeting was called by the Netherlands, which holds the chairmanship of the Board, but the agenda is unknown.
In Kyiv, information has been provided about the meeting's agenda. Ukraine's Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal, stated that Ukraine has demanded the suspension of Russia's membership in the IAEA Board of Governors. Furthermore, Kyiv has initiated proposals for amendments to the IAEA Statute regarding the restriction of Russia's rights. The minister added that the meeting was organized at Ukraine's request and that prior agreement was reached with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The reason for Ukraine's initiative to convene the meeting was the retaliatory strikes carried out by the Russian army against Ukraine's energy system. Shmyhal noted that Russia has systematically and purposefully attacked the electrical substations that supply Ukraine's nuclear power plants with external power. Previously, an energy truce was reached between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow confirmed that this truce would continue until February 1 at the request of Donald Trump.