Zakharova warns of rising physical threats to nuclear facilities, calls for international cooperation and confidentiality
Russia stresses host-country responsibility and a leading role for the IAEA in security cooperation, while safeguarding data on security countermeasures
Quick Look
- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned at a briefing in Izhevsk about increasing physical threats to nuclear facilities, notably the Zaporozhye NPP and Iran’s Bushehr NPP.
- She urged strong physical security worldwide, stressed host-country responsibility, highlighted the IAEA’s leading role in international cooperation, and called for strict confidentiality of security data.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The article reports on Russian objections to rising physical threats to nuclear facilities and the emphasis on host-country responsibility and international cooperation via the IAEA.
IZHEVSK, April 24. /TASS/. Moscow has taken note of increasing security threats to nuclear facilities, including the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.
"We can see that physical threats to nuclear facilities continue to increase. This is primarily about the Zaporozhye NPP and the Bushehr site," she pointed out.
According to the diplomat, Russia attaches great importance to strengthening physical nuclear security across the world and is firmly guided by the fundamental principle of international cooperation in the field of nuclear security. "It suggests that it is the host country that is responsible for ensuring nuclear security on its soil and determining the best parameters regarding the relevant national systems and mechanisms," Zakharova added.
"As for the International Atomic Energy Agency, which often claims to take on the powers it is not supposed to have, it really needs to play a leading role here, but only when it comes to international cooperation in the field of physical nuclear security. In short, the emphasis here is on international cooperation. The agency also provides technical assistance and special practical guides to countries. However, it is solely up to countries to ensure the physical security of nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as of related facilities," she emphasized.
Zakharova noted that maintaining confidentiality was also crucial for ensuring physical security and nuclear safety. "As we can see, terrorists and other criminals certainly can and do seek to use any information they obtain in this regard for their evil ends. That said, they must not be able to get access to any data and information on the algorithms of potential criminal activities and specific countermeasures governments use to build security systems," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
IAEA-led international cooperation efforts on physical nuclear security may be emphasized in future multilateral discussions and guidance documents.
Likely · Within weeks
Host countries may review and possibly reinforce national security parameters for nuclear facilities.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific threats or incidents have been observed at Zaporozhye NPP and Bushehr NPP?
- What steps will the IAEA or individual countries take to enhance physical security?
- How will confidentiality safeguards be implemented and monitored?
