Only way to solve ZNPP crisis is for Russia to withdraw all troops and equipment – Ukraine’s Foreign Minister

EUROPEAN PRAVDA – THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022, 05:54

Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stressed that the only way to ensure the secure operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is to ensure Russia withdraws all of its troops and technical personnel from the power plant.

Source: European Pravda, citing Kuleba’s remarks during a press briefing following a meeting with Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, and Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, in Odesa

Quote from Kuleba: "I emphasised that Ukraine believes that the only solid and secure solution of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant issue would be the complete withdrawal of Russian military and technical personnel. This is our message not so much to Ireland and Lithuania, as to our other partners."

Details: Kuleba further stressed that any other solutions that are being proposed are only "half-measures, which might seem appealing, but won’t tackle the root cause of the issue, and therefore should not be undertaken."

"Ukraine will continue working with the IAEA and all other partners in order to guarantee the security of the ZNPP and return it under Ukraine’s full control," Kuleba summed up.

Background: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, said that Ukraine and Russia are both interested in the IAEA’s offer that a protection zone be created around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The situation at the ZNPP came to the forefront of public attention in early August, when Russian forces started to shell the power plant. Russia rejected calls to demilitarise the power plant, saying that its forces must "protect" the plant from provocations, and claiming that the shelling was carried out by Ukraine.

Following a brief visit of the IAEA mission to the ZNPP, the organisation released a report, which confirmed that Russia has deployed "military personnel, vehicles and equipment" throughout the power plant’s territory.

After the release of the report, Rafael Grossi called for a ceasefire around the Russian-held power plant and for the creation of a "security zone" around the ZNPP. He stressed that power outages at the plant increase the risk of an accident.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!