Russia again disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP: Foreign Ministry
On February 12, Russia, using tactics of threats and provocations, again deliberately disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. About this reported the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tyhiy.
“Today, February 12, Russia once again purposefully disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The Kremlin operates according to the usual scheme of blackmail, threats and provocations. This time, the occupiers used armed attack aircraft with white flags stationed in the crossing zone between the territories controlled by Ukraine and the temporarily occupied zone to disrupt the rotation. It was there that the transfer of representatives was supposed to take place IAEA”, – said Tykhy.
He noted that the scheme of disruption of rotations is repeated every time. At first, the Russian side delays the coordination of the place and time of the rotation, later it sends ambiguous signals about its alleged readiness to ensure safe passage. However, one hour before the rotation opens fire or begins hostilities in this zone. After that, Russian attack aircraft appear with white and IAEA flags, and Moscow declares that “all is ready” for the mission.
“Such actions are repeated not for the first time, but the security risks are becoming higher every time. By arranging such provocations, Russia is trying to force the IAEA to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to send international experts to the ZNPP through the temporarily occupied territories.
At the same time, Moscow is blackmailing the Agency by completely blocking the operation of the mission. Russian pressure on the IAEA is unacceptable and we demand the international community to defend the Agency against Russian blackmail.” – emphasized the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
