Ukraine calls on partners to prevent Russian nuclear blackmail, prevent catastrophe in Europe

Ukraine has called on partners to increase pressure to stop Russian nuclear blackmail and prevent a catastrophe in Europe, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has said.

"We call on partners to take additional collective measures of political and sanction influence to stop Russian nuclear blackmail and avert a catastrophe that will have cross-border consequences for all of Europe," the statement said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly condemned another dangerous escalation by the Russian Federation around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and called the numerous shelling of the plant by the Russians on October 6 in the immediate vicinity of the facility, including explosions 1.25 km from its perimeter, a "deliberate provocation by Russia."

The ministry said that with these actions, Russia once again demonstrates complete disregard for international law, the IAEA Statute and the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety. "The deliberate creation of risks around the largest nuclear power plant in Europe threatens a nuclear catastrophe on a continental scale," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry added that the fact that the Zaporizhia NPP has been without external energy supply for almost two weeks, relying on unstable backup power sources, is of particular concern. "We consider the shelling as an element of Russia's deliberate strategy to block repair work and the restoration of power lines necessary to ensure reliable external energy supply," the ministry noted.

Meanwhile, Ukraine, for its part, will continue to closely cooperate with the IAEA and partners to minimize risks, ensure prompt repair readiness, and restore proper nuclear and radiation safety parameters at the Zaporizhia NPP as soon as possible.

"Ukraine insists: nuclear safety cannot be a subject of bargaining. The restoration of external energy supply to the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, the complete demilitarization of the site, and the return of the plant to Ukrainian control are necessary and urgent steps to protect the lives and health of millions of people," the Foreign Ministry summarizes. As previously reported, observers from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported hearing a series of explosions approximately 1.25 km from the perimeter of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in the occupied city of Energodar, Zaporizhia region.