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Only Russian withdrawal from nuclear plant area can ensure safety: Zelenskyy

Ukraine demands Russia to withdraw from nuclear plant, neighbouring areas

(File) A general view of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine | AP

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Russia to withdraw forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and its neighbouring areas to ensure the safety of the plant. 

In a video address on Wednesday, the Ukraine President said, “ Ukrainian diplomats, our nuclear scientists and the IAEA are in constant touch, now they are working on sending the IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.” 

He added, “ Only absolute transparency and controlled situation at and around the ZNPP can guarantee a gradual return to normal nuclear safety for the Ukrainian state, for the international community, and for the IAEA.”

Zelenskyy urged, “The Russian army must withdraw from the territory of the nuclear power plant and all neighbouring areas, and take away its military equipment from the plant. This must happen without any conditions and as soon as possible. Ukraine is ready to ensure proper control of the IAEA, and the relevant mission can be sent to the Zaporizhzhia plant in a legal way, very fast and as efficiently as possible.”

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is said to be the largest such facility in Europe and both Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for shelling the plant raising concerns of a nuclear disaster.