IAEA Board of Governors passes resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its forces from Zaporozhye NPP

VIENNA. Nov 18 (Interfax) - The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution that calls on Russia to withdraw its military personnel from the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and to "cease all actions" at nuclear facilities in Ukraine, the Russian permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna said, adding that Russia and China voted against the resolution.

"At the meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on November 17, 2022 an unprofessionally drafted resolution that goes beyond the agency's mandate and contains factual errors on nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards in Ukraine was adopted. This is a further step towards politicizing the work of the IAEA," the Russian mission said on Telegram.

The document was supported by 24 out of 35 countries. Russia and China voted against it. Vietnam, India, Kenya, Namibia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa abstained. The delegations of Burundi and Libya did not vote.

According to the text of the resolution, the IAEA Board of Governors calls on Russia to "cease all actions" at nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

Furthermore, the board calls on Russia to "immediately withdraw its military and other personnel from the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant."