Russia removed from nuclear-energy stage at Washington summit
- IAEA confirmed executives from Rosatom and Russia’s industry regulator were dropped from the agenda of next week’s meetings in the US capital
- Moscow has come under increased pressure for endangering nuclear security following the seizure of Europe’s biggest atomic-power plant in Ukraine
Russia has lost its place on stage at a key international nuclear summit in Washington that takes place next week, as United States authorities seek ways to limit the influence of Kremlin-controlled atomic fuel and technology suppliers on the global market.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Thursday that executives from Rosatom and Russia’s industry regulator were dropped from the agenda of next week’s meetings in the US capital. White House officials have been considering for months ways to reduce the Kremlin’s influence on global nuclear markets, where state-owned Rosatom continues to be the biggest exporter of nuclear fuel and reactors.
Russia has come under increased pressure at the IAEA for endangering nuclear security following the seizure of Europe’s biggest atomic-power plant early in its war against Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia station, with six reactors designed to generate a fifth of Ukraine’s electricity, has subsequently been targeted by artillery and missiles, threatening to provoke a radiological accident.
“Participation in the conference can change because of programmatic or personal reasons,” the IAEA said in a statement. “We are confident that the current programme will ensure a successful conference” that will include discussions around “the role of nuclear power and its contribution to energy security”.
Western nations have sought to isolate Russia from the world stage, including at the next Group of 20 summit in Bali. White House officials are taking extra steps to ensure President Joe Biden doesn’t encounter his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, next month on the Indonesian island, Politico reported on Wednesday.