Control over Zaporizhzhia NPP must be returned to Ukraine - EU Ambassador

This was stated by the chief of the EU Delegation in Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, in a video address on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrinform reports

On behalf of the European Union, the diplomat joined the commemoration of the victims of the catastrophe.

Maasikas noted that Chornobyl also tells a story of hope and unity, and recalled that the European Union had provided EUR 432 million for a new safe shelter for the Chornobyl NPPP, and that the EU together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development gave EUR 600 million in loans for the implementation of the program to improve the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

"Russia deliberately targeted and is occupying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The unlawful occupation, the interruption of normal operations, mining and shelling, the harassment, violence, and kidnapping of Ukrainian personnel significantly raise the risk of an accident. The control over the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant needs to be returned to the Ukrainian authorities," EU ambassador said.

Moscow must “refrain from any further action” targeting the nuclear installation, the envoy added.

Memo: The accident at Unit 4 of the Chornobyl NPP occurred on April 26, 1986. More than 600,000 citizens were involved in response efforts and the elimination of the consequences of the disaster.