As the expensive battle between Russia and Ukraine approaches its sixth month, the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power facility in eastern Ukraine continues to worry the international community.
The risks of entering this nuclear site in the ongoing battles to the east and south were cited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his concluding chapter as justification for the Russian forces’ withdrawal from the station, which they had occupied since the beginning of the military operation on February 24.
The IAEA group
On Wednesday night, Thursday, Zelensky encouraged Russian forces to leave Zaporizhia as soon as possible in his usual Telegram lecture.
He added that his administration is prepared to grant access to the site for its team and that it is in frequent contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He said that Ukrainian government representatives and nuclear agents communicate with the IAEA on a daily basis and are getting ready to send an international mission to the nuclear site.
Additionally, he emphasised that Kyiv is prepared to set up suitable oversight so that the mission may be sent off on schedule.
It is impossible to guarantee travel safety.
After Moscow said yesterday that Kyiv cannot guarantee the safe transit of IAEA staff to Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian president made the decision.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pleaded with Washington and other Western capitals to put pressure on Ukrainian soldiers to stop attacking the nuclear reactor.
It is noteworthy that Russia indicated last week before the UN Security Council—via its ambassador in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov—that it would be eager to lend a hand in setting up an International Agency visit to the Ukrainian station. If the shelling in the vicinity of this sensitive place continues, the international community is afraid of a catastrophe.
Zelensky demands that the Russian soldiers leave Zaporizhia right away.
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