For five Ukrainian power plants
Macron is tinkering with measures for nuclear safety
03/05/2022, 00:19
The attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine poses a threat to all of Europe. French President Macron therefore wants to make concrete proposals for securing the reactors in the embattled country “in the next few hours”.
After the shelling of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to propose concrete measures “in the next few hours” to ensure the safety of the five Ukrainian nuclear plants. Macron is “extremely concerned” about the risks to nuclear safety posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Elysee said.
According to the Elysée, Macron’s proposals are derived from the specifications of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Based on these proposals, both sides would have to reach an agreement to jointly ensure the “safety maintenance” of these sites, the statement said.
According to Ukrainian information, Russian troops fired on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant on Friday night, causing a fire that was extinguished after some time. The Russian army then occupied the site of the nuclear power plant. Moscow denies the shelling and says it was an act by Ukrainian “saboteurs”. According to experts, no radioactive substances were released.
Last week there had been fighting near the Chernobyl reactor, where the worst nuclear accident in history happened in 1986. The nuclear ruin is now controlled by Russian troops. Macron “strongly condemns” any damage to Ukraine’s civilian nuclear facilities by Russia’s attacks, the Elysee Palace statement said. Russia must “ensure their safety and security” and allow personnel “unhindered access to ensure continued safe operations.”