In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) shakes hands with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct 6, 2022. (PHOTO / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE VIA AP)
KIEV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday met with visiting International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP), the presidential press service reported.
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During the talks, Zelensky and Grossi talked about the IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia NPP and Russia's recent decision to designate the plant as Russian "federal property."
Zelensky said he considered the decision an illegal takeover, while Grossi said transferring the plant to Russian ownership is a violation of international law
Zelensky said he considered the decision an illegal takeover, while Grossi said transferring the plant to Russian ownership is a violation of international law.
Zelensky called for a demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants, to ensure the nuclear safety of the facility.
READ MORE: IAEA board calls on Russia to leave Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
The Ukrainian leader also stressed the need for the resumption of the plant's operation for the energy security of Ukraine and Europe.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that designates the plant, which has been controlled by Russian forces since early March, as Russian federal property.
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