By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- On Wednesday in a formal statement, G7 foreign ministers told Russia to return full control of Ukraine’s and Europe’s largest nuclear facility – Zaporizhzhia, back to Ukraine as fears of a nuclear disaster throughout the region, looms. The statement read in part: “It is Russia’s continued domination of the nuclear power plant that endangers the region.” A further statement from the G7, commented: “Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant must be able to carry out their duties without threats of pressure.
Meanwhile, Russia has asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to discuss this issue on Thursday, in New York, with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, to brief the Council tomorrow. Ministers of the G7 have reiterated and warned that Russian actions are increasing the risk of severely compromising the nuclear plant that could lead to a nuclear incident. That would not only put Ukraine and its citizens at risk – all neighboring countries and the world would be at risk, the ministers explained.
In their statement, G7 ministers highlighted the need to allow the IAEA experts to go to the plant to inspect its nuclear safety and any security concerns plus steps that need to be taken to secure the area around the plant. Ukraine’s President Zelensky and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak have accused Russia of bombarding Ukrainian towns from the nuclear plant, knowing how risky it would be for Ukraine to respond back, in light of the nuclear danger. Yermak said in a statement that the Russian military is using the Zaporizhzhia power station as a hideout and using it the way civilians are used as human shields.
Ukrainian sources report that 500 Russian troops with heavy vehicles and weapons are stationed at the nuclear site where Ukrainian technicians continue to work. Russia claims its forces are making sure the facility stays safe while it accuses Ukrainian forces of shelling the plant which Ukraine denies. The nuclear plant is Europe’s largest, is close to the southern city of Emerhodar and has been hit several times being partially damaged last weekend. Reports out of the area, indicate that the plant’s most crucial structures are still intact but experts and analysts on the region wonder for how long.
