Zelenskyy to discuss peaceful return of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant with IAEA chief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and IAEA Director Rafael Grossi (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine will raise the issue of the peaceful de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
"In 2022, during the full-scale invasion, Russia occupied our Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. It is no secret that various terrorist acts were being planned there at the time. We fought back, de-occupied our plant, and I believe that stopped a potential terrorist attack," the head of state stressed.
At the same time, he noted that Russian forces continued to carry out strikes, including drone attacks, and hits were recorded at the facility. International partners were involved in restoring the sarcophagus. The risk of attacks remains, as the war has not ended.
Zelenskyy also added that Russia occupied the Zaporizhzhia NPP as well and used various types of "heavy weapons against reactor units and administrative buildings." The risks there may be even greater than at Chornobyl.
"Ultimately, it (Russia – ed.) seized this plant, whose six power units are currently not operating… The longer this process continues, the greater the risks, including those related to a large nuclear facility, which could be even higher than the risks associated with Chornobyl," the president stressed.
He noted that the experience of Japan and other partners is important for compelling the enemy, through diplomacy, to release the plants and restore their operations.
Zelenskyy also announced that he will meet today with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. During the talks, the Ukrainian side will raise the issue of the peaceful de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
"There will be a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to push all partners to engage with the IAEA, join initiatives, and find an exclusively diplomatic path so that the plant is de-occupied peacefully and its management is returned to Ukraine. Only then can we say that from that moment it will be safe for people and for the planet," Ukraine's leader concluded.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
It became known in February that Russia has long sought to integrate the Zaporizhzhia NPP into its energy system. In particular, the occupying authorities are attempting to introduce practices typical of Russian nuclear power plants.
The media also reported that the US government is concerned that in March 2022, Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia plant along with assets (nuclear fuel) and technologies belonging to the American engineering company Westinghouse.
