Ukraine’s president has criticized the UN nuclear regulator for not calling for the “demilitarization” of the Russian-held Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, where its inspectors arrived on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t heard the most important thing from the International Atomic Energy Agency either – the appeal to Russia to demilitarize the power plant. And how can you do without it?” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking via video link in front of the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy, Zelenskyy expressed “the hope that the mission will comply with what the parties have agreed and what is in the interest of the entire international community”.
“It is impossible to keep the terrorist state’s military in the nuclear power plant,” added Zelenskyy.
Ukraine and its Western backers have repeatedly urged Russia to demilitarize the plant and return control to Kyiv.
Ukraine and Russia have accused each other’s armed forces of carrying out artillery strikes and other provocations at the plant.
After visiting the plant on Thursday, leaving a handful of inspectors for a “continued” presence, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi confirmed evidence of military strikes.
“The facility and the physical integrity of the facility have been breached multiple times. . . That must not continue to happen,” Grossi added.
Zelenskyy also said the IAEA mission had “not put enough pressure” on Russia to allow independent media access to the occupied region where the plant is located.
“Without allowing independent journalists, Russian propagandists would dominate the place,” Zelenskyy added.
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