42 countries called on Russia to withdraw troops from Zaporizhzhia NPP

EUROPEAN PRAVDA — SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST 2022, 18:20 

42 countries have called on Russia to withdraw its troops from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), stressing that their presence there poses threats to the safe operation of the nuclear plant.

As European Pravda reports, this was mentioned in a statement published on the website of the EU delegation to international organisations in Vienna. 

The statement was joined by all EU members and the European Union as a separate signatory, Norway, Great Britain, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia and Turkey.

The countries reiterate that the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter, and Russia's control over the ZNPP endangers the principles of nuclear safety.

"The presence of Russian military forces at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant prevents the operator and the Ukrainian authorities from fulfilling their nuclear and radiation safety obligations in accordance with international conventions and IAEA safety standards, and prevents the IAEA from fulfilling its safeguards mandate. We urge the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces and all other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, its immediate surroundings, and all of Ukraine so that the operator and the Ukrainian authorities can resume their sovereign responsibilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and the legitimate operating staff can conduct their duties without outside interference, threat, or unacceptably harsh working conditions. This will also enable the IAEA to carry out its verification pursuant to Ukraine’s safeguards obligations under safe and secure conditions and in a timely manner.," the signatories emphasise.

The countries add that the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the presence of the Russian military at the nuclear power plant undoubtedly increased the risk of nuclear incidents. 

They also condemn Russia's attempts to use disinformation to justify its illegal actions in Ukraine. 

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on Thursday called for an immediate stop of hostilities near Europe's largest nuclear power plant and the creation of a demilitarised zone around the ZNPP. Chief diplomat of the EU joined these calls.

At the same time, Russia rejected UN calls to create a demilitarised zone around the nuclear power plant.

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