US Joins Russia and China in Opposing UN Resolution Condemning Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has adopted a new resolution condemning attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, warning that such actions pose serious risks to nuclear safety.
However, in a surprising development, the United States joined Russia, China, and Niger in voting against the resolution, marking the first time Washington has opposed such a measure since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The resolution, adopted Thursday by the IAEA’s Board of Governors, represents the seventh formal statement on Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country four years ago. Previous resolutions had consistently received strong backing from the United States, making its latest vote a notable shift in diplomatic positioning.
In a statement delivered to the board ahead of the vote, the United States explained its decision, saying it remains committed to supporting the IAEA’s work on the ground in Ukraine but believes the resolution does little to advance efforts toward ending the war. According to the statement, Washington considers the move “an unnecessary resolution that does not help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
The position aligns with ongoing diplomatic pressure from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who has been urging Ukraine to accelerate negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. Over the past year, Trump has advocated for a peace agreement that could potentially include territorial concessions to Russia, an option the Ukrainian government has firmly rejected.
Despite the opposition from the United States and several others, the resolution still secured broad support within the board. Diplomats say 20 countries voted in favor during the closed-door session, including France, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Argentina. Ten countries abstained from the vote, among them Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
Compared with earlier resolutions, diplomats noted that the language of the latest document was somewhat less severe. Nonetheless, it reiterates deep concern about attacks targeting energy facilities that supply electricity to nuclear power plants.
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According to the text obtained by Reuters, the board “reemphasises that attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the off-site power supply of nuclear power plants, including at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), represent a direct threat to nuclear safety and security.”
The situation surrounding Ukraine’s energy network remains critical. Since October 2025, Russia has reportedly damaged more than nine gigawatts of electricity-generation capacity across thermal power plants, combined heat and power facilities, and hydroelectric stations. While recovery efforts are ongoing, only about 3.5 gigawatts of the damaged capacity have been partially restored so far.
The resolution underscores continuing international concern over the safety of nuclear facilities in a war zone, particularly the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe, which has repeatedly faced power disruptions and security risks since the conflict began.
