Ukraine on Friday expressed concern over Russia鈥檚 continued control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, warning that the situation poses risks to nuclear safety and regional stability.
鈥淯kraine strongly condemns the attempts of the Russian Federation to legitimize the illegal control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,鈥� the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling the plant鈥檚 occupation 鈥渁 direct threat to the security of the entire European continent.鈥�
Kyiv said centralized control and actions that affect the plant鈥檚 technical stability contradict international nuclear safety standards, and urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take a clear position on the matter.
鈥淎ny decision regarding the plant鈥檚 operation must involve Ukraine鈥檚 authorized regulators,鈥� the ministry said, adding that interference from other entities undermines safety procedures.
Ukraine also called on international partners to increase pressure and impose further sanctions on Russia鈥檚 state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.
鈥淲e believe that ending cooperation with Rosatom and isolating the nuclear sector of the Russian Federation is an appropriate response,鈥� it added.
The ministry emphasized that restoring full Ukrainian control over the facility is 鈥渢he only way to ensure nuclear safety and stability鈥� in accordance with international standards and IAEA guidelines.
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian control since March 2022.
Earlier this week, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the nuclear plant was a Russian facility and transferring control of it to Ukraine or any other country was impossible.
By Alperen Aktas
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr