Aug. 15 () –
The Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, held a telephone conversation on Monday with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, located in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
Both “have discussed the conditions for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant to operate safely,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Both have also raised their views on the possible “investigation mission” into the attack on Elenovka, in which Ukrainian prisoners of war imprisoned in Mariupol died.
They have also discussed UN proposals to simplify the export of Russian food products and fertilizers, according to the press release.
The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March, although it is Ukrainian personnel who continue to maintain the facilities.
An IAEA inspection is pending, but the UN, Russia and Ukraine have failed to agree on an agenda for the visit. Until now, the UN has not authorized the visit of the IAEA Secretary General, Rafael Grossi, not only for security reasons but also due to disputes over his itinerary. Rossi could travel to the region via the Black Sea, to the Moscow-controlled area of Crimea, which would be perceived as an affront by kyiv.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using the nuclear power plant as a bastion to fire on the towns of Nikopol and Marhanez, on the other side of the Dnipro River. Meanwhile, Russia denounces Ukrainian bombardments against the plant using drones, heavy artillery and rocket launchers. This same Sunday, both parties have denounced one death due to bombings attributed to the opposite party.
Add Comment