The fear of a nuclear disaster in Europe: President of Russia Vladimir Putinsaid today (Saturday) that the UN officials will receive permission to visit the nuclear plant in Besphoria, Ukraine. This, after a conversation with the President of France Emmanuel Macron.
Putin’s announcement follows claims of fighting near the nuclear reactor, when according to reports four civilians were injured by Russian shelling. Now, according to the Kremlin, Putin has agreed to provide UN investigators with the “necessary assistance” to reach the site.
“It’s approaching a very dangerous point”: Europe fears a nuclear disaster in Ukraine
“Both noted the importance of sending IAEA experts to the plant to assess the situation on the ground,” the Kremlin noted in its statement. As you may recall, the nuclear plant has been under Russian occupation since the beginning of last March, but is still operated by Ukrainian technicians under Russian guidance. A, Raphael Grossiwelcomed Putin’s statement, and announced that he intends to lead the visit to the factory.
“In this volatile and fragile situation, it is vitally important that no new action be taken that could further jeopardize the safety and security of one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants,” Grossi said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky He welcomed the prospect of an inspection in his speech, but said that specific details were still being worked out. “If the Russian blackmail with radiation continues, this summer may go down in the history of the various European countries as one of the most tragic of all time,” he said.