nuclear-news

Russia calls on NATO to discuss Ukraine nuclear plant

Canberra Times, 9 July 23

The leaders of the United States-led transatlantic NATO defence alliance should discuss Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant at their summit, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says.

NATO leaders will meet in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday to tackle a wide range of topics, from divisions over Ukraine’s membership bid and Sweden’s accession to boosting ammunition stockpiles and reviewing the first defence plans in decades.

Accusing Ukraine of “systematic infliction of damage” to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Zakharova said “the NATO summit’s key attention should be devoted to it”.

“After all, the vast majority of the alliance members will be in the direct impact zone” (if something were to happen at the plant), Zakharova said on the Telegram messaging app.

Vilnius is some 1000 kilometres from the nuclear plant, Europe’s largest.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of planning to attack the plant, which is located on Russian-held territory in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, near the front line of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine………….

The International Atomic Energy Agency experts based at the plant said they had yet to observe any indications of mines or explosives at the plant but needed more access to be sure.  https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8263420/russia-calls-on-nato-to-discuss-ukraine-nuclear-plant/

July 11, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | EUROPE, safety