- The Kremlin does agree to continue negotiating a "security zone" with the IAEA.
 |
| A UN convoy enters the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on September 1. |
Russia refuses to create a demilitarized zone in the Zaporizhia power plant: "It is impossible"
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov announced on Sunday the impossibility of creating a demilitarized zone in the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia, occupied by Russian troops since last March.
"Agreements on demilitarization are initially impossible: we can only protect the station and guarantee its security," the deputy minister explained to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, in an interview collected by Europa Press.
Russia thus categorically rejects the idea of a demilitarized zone proposed by the West, a measure that implies the withdrawal of the Russian military from the station, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
The Kremlin is, however, willing to discuss a security zone: "The protection zone is different, its parameters are under discussion. We believe that a certain process of coordination, even diplomatic, with the agency [the International Organization for Atomic Energy, IAEA], is not only possible but necessary," Riabkov told the newspaper.
The diplomat indicated that it is "important" to "agree on the essence" of the possible agreement on a security zone, while its form — who would sign it and at what level — would be debated once the content of the pact was achieved.
In this sense, Riabkov stressed that Moscow is in "close contact" with the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi: "We are in close contact with Director General Grossi, work with the IAEA continues, the agency's specialists are in Zaporizhia nuclear power plant," he said, adding that this situation is, in his opinion, "a very concrete manifestation" of his "constructive responsibility."
The possibility of a nuclear accident
Last week, Grossi stated in an interview with Efe that he is "concerned that there will be a serious nuclear accident" at the Zaporizhia plant, a scenario that he considered "possible" due to a possible meltdown of the reactor, while negotiations "are progressing." with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to protect the plant from being attacked.
Grossi indicated that both the Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski, and the Russian, Vladimir Putin, understand "on a rational level" that "there is an essential objective, which is to protect the plant, which is in danger at this time", and that " there is a recognition that this protection" must be obtained.
Both presidents, he explained, agree that they want to preserve the plant for different reasons, "some to recover it because they lost it and others because they consider it part of their country." "The challenge is to present a proposal that is viable, that can travel the narrow path of the military and political interests of each country," added the IAEA director general.
Tags:
World