Russia refuses to relinquish control over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for creation of nuclear safety zone
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, said Russia would not give up control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) within the framework of an agreement to create a nuclear safety and security zone around it.
This commentary by Zakharova was posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Monday, reports European Pravda.
"There can be no question of removing the ZNPP from Russian control or handing control over to some ‘third party’. The power plant is located in Russian territory and is fully managed by Russia," she claimed.
According to Zakharova, Moscow is proceeding from the fact that "we are the only ones who can ensure the physical and nuclear security of the ZNPP".
She also refuted a statement by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who said that Ukraine and Russia were close to reaching an agreement on the ZNPP.
"The fundamental issue is whether Kyiv is prepared to undertake to stop the attacks and give up its attempts to take over the ZNPP, and also whether the IAEA will be able to get the Ukrainians to comply with such hypothetical agreements," Zakharova said.
Background: The situation at the ZNPP has been at the centre of attention since the beginning of August, when Russian forces started to launch attacks on it. Russia has rejected calls for the power plant to be demilitarised, claiming that it has to "protect it" from provocations and blaming Ukraine for the attacks.
After a short mission to the ZNPP, IAEA experts presented a report which confirmed that Russia had deployed "military personnel, vehicles and military equipment" at various locations around the power plant.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is still negotiating with Kyiv and Moscow about the creation of a nuclear safety and security zone around the power plant.
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