"The only possibility of regaining control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the region's liberation from the invading Russian forces" - Vitaly Portnikov

He shared his opinion with Espreso TV. 

"I think that in the current situation in the war with Russia, the only possibility of regaining control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia region from the invading Russian forces. This, of course, can happen in different ways. This can happen in such a way as not to affect the zone of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, in order to then force the occupying forces to withdraw from there. Therefore, I think that when the Director General of the IAEA talks about the demilitarization of this zone, it is precisely in our interests, as it is not ours, but Russian troops that are stationed there and must leave. Let the international forces even stand there. I think that Russia will not agree to this," Vitaly Portnikov said

The journalist noted that if Ukraine's Armed Forces surround the city of Energodar, it is possible to force the Russian military to withdraw from the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

"I think that in the current situation, there may indeed be an encirclement of Energodar, as well as a withdrawal of the Russian military contingent. This is also an important situation when the people who are there get a green corridor to leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant area. That is, there may be different solutions, but this is already a matter for the Ukrainian military command. I do not believe in any negotiation results with Vladimir Putin," he noted.