Russia, France convene to discuss Zaporozhye NPP, IAEA mission
2 Min Read
The Russian Defense Minister and his French counterpart discuss over the phone the security issues surrounding the Zaporozhye NPP, amid an anticipated IAEA visit to the location.
-
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (TASS)
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) with French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu during a phone conversation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
"On August 25, 2022, at the initiative of the French side, the first telephone conversation took place between the Russian defense minister ... and the French defense minister ... We discussed the situation around the Zaporozhye NPP," the Ministry said in a statement.
The NPP is currently under Moscow's control and has been the target of Ukrainian nationalists, witnessing a wave of drone attacks in July and the latest on August 7, with the Ukrainian military shelling the NPP targeting the spent nuclear fuel repository. The Kiev regime launched a 220mm Uragan rocket with a cluster munition.
Shoigu informed Lecornu of Russia’s stance on Ukraine’s actions related to the NPP and noted the importance of sending a mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the plant, the statement added.
On account of that, in a statement posted on the IAEA website, its Director-General Rafael Grossi said, "I’m continuing to consult very actively and intensively with all parties so that this vital IAEA mission can take place without further delay. The IAEA’s presence will help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation at the site and reduce the risk of a severe nuclear accident in Europe. The mission is expected to take place within the next few days if ongoing negotiations succeed."
