Espreso. Global

To stop this nuclear terrorist, we do not need agreements, we need toughest possible sanctions on Rosatom - Zelenskyy

11 August, 2022 Thursday
18:01

Russia risks provoking the largest radiation accident in history at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP). In terms of actual consequences, this could be even more catastrophic than Chernobyl, and in essence - the same as Russia's use of nuclear weapons.

client/title.list_title

This was stated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Donor Conference of Ukraine's allies from Northern Europe, Espreso.TV reports. 

"For years after that disaster (at the Chernobyl NPP - Ed.) all over the world thought about how to make nuclear energy safe. For years, special standards were followed to ensure that similar disasters did not occur. And for years, absolutely no one thought that Europe could be at risk of a new disaster at a nuclear plant not because someone violates any safety standards, but because some state will deliberately use a nuclear plant for terror. This is what Russia is doing now. And if the Soviet authorities tried to hide the Chernobyl disaster and its full consequences, the Russian authorities are much more cynical and dangerous - they themselves do everything to maximize the risk of a nuclear disaster, and lie to the whole world that someone else is allegedly to blame", the president said.

He added that now it is necessary to protect Europe from this threat. Protect all together. And probably not only Europe. Because the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is the largest on our continent. It is the third largest in the world. Six power units! During the years of operation of this station, there was not a single incident that would endanger the safety of Ukrainians or all Europeans. But now the Russian occupation army is using the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant for terror and armed provocations.

"Russia has turned the nuclear power plant into a battlefield. When the invaders came to the Zaporizhzhia NPP, their tanks fired at it. Directly aimed at the plant! Placing military equipment on the territory of the plant and even disposing of ammunition there, the Russian military cannot but know that they are putting Europe at risk of nuclear disaster And, of course, the Russian authorities are aware of the consequences of their troops shelling a nuclear plant, in particular with rocket artillery. In August, they damaged the station's communication lines to our power system, as well as the radiation monitoring sensors, the nitrogen-oxygen station, the hydrogen pipelines, and related infrastructure. Even then, Europe was a few steps away from a nuclear disaster. And now we are all in this difficult situation. We are convinced that the trajectory of the cruise missiles with which Russia is shelling the territory of Ukraine does not coincidentally pass over the Ukrainian nuclear power plants. All these are manifestations of Russian nuclear terrorism", Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. 

Russia has become a terrorist state and is actually holding nuclear plants hostage, and blackmailing everyone with a possible disaster. It must be stopped.

"None of us can stop the wind if it carries radiation. But all of us together with you can stop a terrorist state. And the sooner we stop Russia, the sooner Europe and the world can feel safe again. Sanctions against Russia must be strengthened and not allowed to be circumvented. In response to nuclear blackmail, we need tough sanctions against Rosatom and the entire Russian nuclear industry, and not an agreement with them. Constant political pressure on Russia is needed to increase the number of countries participating in the anti-war coalition and to reduce the circle of those who are at least somehow ready to help Russia under these circumstances. And most importantly, we need even more support for Ukraine with weapons and ammunition. To really stop Russia, the Ukrainian Armed Forces must have as many shells as necessary to make it feel that Russia is unable to press on the battlefield. And Ukraine needs weapons of such power, such long-range that Russia will be forced to finally think about finding a peaceful solution", the head of Ukraine explained.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Saturday
23 November
20:10
Putin orders to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Kursk before Trump’s inauguration - Zelenskyy
19:50
Ukraine's ex-top general warns of potential Russian technological breakthrough by 2027
19:30
Exclusive
Kremlin to set Trump its terms for ending war - Russian opposition expert
19:11
Exclusive
Without security guarantees for Ukraine, negotiations are meaningless - U.S. diplomat
18:50
Ukraine can intercept new Russian Kedr missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads
18:27
Russia steals over 785 Ukrainian cultural heritage artifacts
18:05
Exclusive
Russia's stockpile of such missiles is limited — aviation expert on Dnipro strike
17:40
Russia trains specialists for prisoner torture system - Ukraine’s intelligence
17:15
Exclusive
Biden administration never tried to ensure Ukraine's victory - U.S. diplomat
16:44
OPINION
Ukraine-Russia peace talks: possible as process, unlikely as outcome
16:15
Exclusive
Turbulence before Trump’s inauguration to bring 60 to 90 days of uncertainty - Russian opposition expert Morozov
15:49
U.S. intelligence links Kremlin to killings of Putin’s critics abroad
15:21
Russian general likely killed in Storm Shadow strike on Kursk headquarters - media
14:50
OPINION
Does Trump have plan?
14:20
Russia plans to test-fire ballistic missiles again in coming days - ISW
13:50
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: 11-year-old boy injured, 55-year-old man killed
13:25
Admiral Nakhimov nuclear-powered cruiser of Russian Fleet
How Russia's war on Ukraine stalled its Navy modernization - Defense Express
12:55
Russia trades missiles, air defense systems, oil in exchange for North Korean troops - ISW
12:25
Review
New details on Dnipro strike and reasons behind Russian advance in Donetsk region. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:53
Russia planned genocide of Ukrainians long before full-scale invasion - intel chief Budanov
11:26
Exclusive
Russia is modernizing Soviet junk, Americans know how to deal with it - former SBU head 
10:55
Russian troops make significant progress in Klishchiivka - Andriivka section, Donetsk region
10:25
Russia loses 1,420 soldiers, 24 artillery systems, 20 tanks per day - Ukraine's General Staff
2024, Friday
22 November
21:40
Ukraine in talks with partners for new air defense systems - Zelenskyy
21:30
Exclusive
Nothing stops Russia from launching nuclear attack - Defense Express
21:20
118 combat clashes reported at front today, with Russian forces most active in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Vremivka sectors
21:10
Russian army aims to capture Donetsk, Luhansk regions this winter - Ukraine's intelligence
20:55
Russian troops execute five Ukrainian prisoners of war in Donetsk region
20:40
Exclusive
Russian forces likely control part of Ukraine's Kurakhove - military observer
20:23
Exclusive
Russia has already launched missiles at Ukraine with same warhead weight as recently
20:08
Russia’s Kedr ballistic missile: new threat or just another Oreshnik?
19:52
Exclusive
Taiwan provides $10 million in aid to Association of Ukrainian Cities
19:37
Ukraine's Lviv receives key of European Youth Capital 2025
19:21
What is difference between intercontinental ballistic missile and intermediate-range missile?
19:05
At least 14 Shahed drones fly into Belarus during Russian attack on November 22
18:50
Trump’s victory is opportunity to speed peace process - Ukraine's top diplomat
18:34
Moscow tries to intimidate West with nuclear war to change support for Ukraine - expert
18:16
Drones attack rocket test range used to launch ballistic missile at Ukraine
17:55
Almost 580,000 Russian servicemen take part in hostilities against Ukraine — Ukraine's intel
17:35
Two injured as Russian attack hits public transport in Ukraine's Kherson region
More news