Zelensky reiterates that Russia must withdraw from Zaporizhia to ensure the return to nuclear security

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Aug. 18 () –

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky reiterated on Wednesday that Russia “must” relinquish control of the Zaporizhia plant so that a return to nuclear safety can be guaranteed.

“The Russian army must withdraw from the territory of the nuclear power plant and from all neighboring areas. This should happen without any conditions and as soon as possible,” Zelensky said in the daily speech he records to address Ukrainians.

Along these lines, the Ukrainian president has assured that “the ability to control the situation in Zaporizhia for the Ukrainian state, for the international community and for the IAEA can guarantee a gradual return to normal nuclear safety”.

In addition, he explained that Ukrainian diplomats and nuclear scientists are in constant contact with the IAEA, who are planning to send a mission to the plant.

Zelensky made these statements after the arrival of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, in Lviv, and hours before they both meet with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The three-way meeting came after an “invitation” from Zelenski himself, according to sources from Guterres’ office consulted by Europa Press and who have not given more details.

Ankara hopes to discuss formulas with which to end the conflict and talk about the mechanism established to export grain from Ukrainian territory, according to the Turkish news agency Anatolia.