“We expect specific decisions from IAEA, not their ‘concern’” – Zaporizhia region chief

The IAEA mission, which is currently working at the Russian-captured Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, should take concrete decisions, not just express concern.

That’s according to Oleksandr Starukh, chief of the Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration, who spoke with Current Time, Ukrinform reports.

"I hope that the IAEA will ultimately be able to fulfill its functions. There’s hope that the international organization will draw conclusions, taking into account all the threats, and together we will protect the world from the absolutely real threat posed by Russia. Either we solve the existing issues together, or someone else will address them for us. We are waiting for decisions from the IAEA. Concrete decisions, not just statements of concern," said Starukh.

He also added that he expects clear proposals based on the outcome of the mission’s visit, and the subsequent demilitarization of the NPP area.

Starukh said that Ukraine had been waiting for the IAEA visit for the past six months. There were also hopes that the whole world, through the efforts of independent journalists, would see what is happening at the NPP and what a threat the occupier's actions pose to the nuclear safety of both Europe and the whole world. However, such hopes never realized because it was only Russian propagandists who were granted access to the Russian-occupied ZNPP.

"It is necessary to introduce a safe zone around the nuclear facility, as well as to set up permanent security control," the head of the region said.

Starukh has added stated that the Russian side doesn’t play by generally accepted rules, and recalled how Russian military helicopters shelled residential buildings in Energodar. After the mission arrived at the site, the invaders fired not a single shot, which is already a positive thing, the official notes.