Zelenskyy Takes Aim At Russia’s NUCLEAR Power
(StraightNews.org) – Over the last five-plus months, Russia has continued its aggression against Ukraine. The country has reportedly perpetrated civilian attacks, hitting residential areas and killing many Ukrainian citizens. Now, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on the international community to address another threat — and issue more sanctions.
Nuclear Power Plant Attacks
On Friday, August 5, shells hit a nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, which Russia seized in March. Both sides blamed each other for the attacks, which could have had devastating consequences as shelling landed near the facility holding the plant’s spent fuel. The main concern is that these buildings are not designed to withstand forces like rocket strikes. They’re made with weaker materials than those that house nuclear reactors.
In response to the attacks, Zelenskyy accused Russia of “nuclear terror” and demanded stronger action from the West. The answer, according to the Ukrainian president, is to issue more sanctions — this time against its nuclear industry.
Talked with @eucopresident Charles Michel, told about the situation on the battlefield, in particular at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russian nuclear terror requires a stronger response from the international community – sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry and nuclear fuel. (1/2)
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 7, 2022
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), agrees with Zelenskyy’s assessment and wants to visit the site to develop a safety plan as there’s a “very real risk of a nuclear disaster.”
Russia’s Nuclear Power
After the invasion in February, most European countries issued sanctions against the Kremlin. In the following weeks, when it became apparent Russia wasn’t going to back down, governments made plans to cut their reliance on gas and oil from Moscow. However, nuclear energy wasn’t included in the plans, and it seems as though now they might be considering such a move.
While 25% of Europe’s electricity is nuclear powered, Russia doesn’t contribute much of this type of energy. However, cutting out what little it does provide could hurt Moscow — especially since France, Belgium, and Spain could help make up the difference. The nuclear reactors in these countries don’t run anywhere near full capacity, meaning they could up their production. In fact, there have been calls for European expansion in this regard.
European Commission and G7 Get Involved
Both the European Commission and Group of Seven (G7) have criticized Russia for its actions and issued statements demanding the country return control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine. Its occupation, according to the G7 proclamation, “endangers the region.” European Union Commissioner Kadri Simpson noted that there aren’t any increased radioactivity levels, but the “reckless behavior by the Russian military forces” could change that. He continues that it’s a “violation of internationally agreed” provisions.
Do you think Russia should face more sanctions for its purported activity in Zaporizhzhia?
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