Ukraine Zelenskyy calls on UN to ensure safety of Zaporizhia

Ukraine: Zelenskyy calls on UN to ensure “safety” of Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

LVIV | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday called on the UN to ensure “the security” of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russia and has been the target of several bombing raids, while receiving Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

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Mr Zelensky denounced on Telegram the “premeditated terror” created by Russia, which “can have great catastrophic consequences for the whole world”.

“The UN must therefore ensure the security of this strategic location, its demilitarization and its total liberation from Russian troops,” he added.

Ukraine: Zelenskyy calls on UN to ensure

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of bombings at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, which has been under the control of the Russian army since March, raising the specter of a major catastrophe in Europe.

For weeks, Ukraine has accused Moscow of storing heavy weapons in the Zaporizhia power plant and using it as a base for attacks on Ukrainian positions. It also asserts that Russian forces are shooting at the power plant they are occupying to blame Kyiv for these bombings.

Moscow on Thursday denied having heavy weapons stationed at the facility and said it only had units providing security. In return, Russia accuses Kyiv of having prepared a “sounding provocation” during the visit of the UN Secretary-General to Ukraine.

To ensure the site’s security and allow for an inspection mission, Antonio Guterres and the United States last Thursday called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone around the facility, a long-standing demand by Ukraine.