The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has criticized the visit of UN experts to the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
He is upset with the nuclear supervisor inspecting the Zaporizhzhia facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has yet to call for the demilitarization of the country, which has been occupied by Russian troops since the start of the six-month war.
Zelensky also chided Russia for preventing journalists from accompanying the IAEA on its visit to the plant.
“The main thing that needs to happen is the demilitarization of the territory of the plant,” Zelensky said.
“This is precisely the goal of Ukrainian and international efforts. And it’s a shame that we haven’t heard the right calls from the IAEA yet. Although we talked about this with Mr. Grossi at our meeting in Kiev.
This was the key – the key – the security point of our agreements, it was clearly stated: demilitarization and full control by Ukrainian nuclear specialists.”
“When we met with Grossi and the members of the mission in Kiev, we agreed that independent journalists […] would accompany the mission so that the world can see the truth and what is really happening.
Unfortunately, this has not been done even though it was promised. Unfortunately, the invaders did not let the journalists in the territory, but organized a crowd of their own propagandists.
“Unfortunately, IAEA representatives did not protect independent media representatives,” he said. The 14-member delegation of experts from the IAEA arrived in Zaporizhzhia on Thursday after months of negotiations to get inside.
The factory is occupied by Russian forces, but is run by Ukrainian engineers.
Ukraine claims that Russia is using it as a shield to launch attacks, while Moscow accuses Ukraine of reckless firing in the area.