WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – The US government welcomes the inspection of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The National Security Council’s communications director, John Kirby, said Monday: “We are pleased that the team is on its way to review the security and security of the systems there and to evaluate the working conditions of the staff.” He appealed to Russia to allow inspectors safe and unimpeded access.
Kirby again advocated establishing a demilitarized zone around the power plant. “A nuclear power plant is not a suitable place for combat operations,” he warned. “In the meantime, we remain of the opinion that a controlled shutdown of Zaporizhia’s nuclear reactors would be the safest and least risky option in the short term.”
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi announced on Monday that experts from the organization would travel to Zaporizhia for a mission under his leadership after a long struggle. According to the state agency TASS, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that the inspectors were safe. However, the visit will not deal with the question of a possible demilitarized zone around the power plant.
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe with six reactors in southern Ukraine has been occupied by Russian troops since March. The power plant site is repeatedly shelled, for which Russia and Ukraine accuse each other. The international community fears a possible nuclear accident./jac/DP/nas