The official applauded efforts by Ukrainian plant operators to maintain the safety of the plant under “very trying circumstances,” citing reports of Russians pressuring and harassing the workers. believes “a controlled shutdown” of the plant’s nuclear reactors is “the least risky course of action in the near term.” defense official, meanwhile, said the U.S. “The fighting around the plant should stop, period,” Kirby said.Ī senior U.S. Russia also should agree to a “demilitarized zone” around the plant, Kirby said in a briefing with reporters. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that the United States “fully supports” the IAEA’s efforts and called on Russia to “ensure safe, unfettered access” to inspectors. Nuclear power plants have many safeguards, but memories of the 1986 nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, also in Ukraine, hang heavy. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, is sending inspectors to the plant amid growing worries of potential damage from the fighting. The fighting comes as Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in its south against Russia. military official told reporters Monday, adding that Moscow’s forces are using the plant itself to store equipment. Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in heavy fighting in the area immediately around the plant, which is being bombarded with airstrikes and artillery, a senior U.S. Both Moscow and Kyiv have accused the other of endangering the plant in recent days. Russian forces took over the plant soon after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, though the facility continues to operate under the watch of Ukrainian staff. The most immediate concern is the situation at a nuclear power plant in the southern Ukraine area of Zaporizhzhia. The question is can they get over all these other problems and obstacles that Russia’s war has certainly created.” A nuclear plant held ‘hostage’ “I really do think both sides have an interest in continuing arms control treaties. “The United States and Russia, despite their differences, have a special responsibility to avoid nuclear catastrophe,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. Still, the sensitivity of anything nuclear-related means both countries must reassure the world that they can cooperate now, former officials and analysts say. Even during the Cold War, Washington and Moscow were able to cooperate on ways to avoid an atomic disaster. Russia and the United States have the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |