Ministry of Energy counts on France's support in nuclear safety

The de-energization of strategic objects, which occurs as a result of Russian attacks, is a direct threat not only to Ukrainian, but also to global security.

The Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko said this during a meeting with Francois Jacques, General Administrator of the French Atomic Energy Commission, reports Ukrinform with a message to the ministry's press service.

The parties met within the framework of the 67th General Conference of the IAEA, which is taking place in Vienna.

The head of the Ministry of Energy thanked France for the assistance to the Ukrainian energy sector, which was of great importance last winter.

"Herman Galushchenko emphasized that the de-energization of strategic facilities, which occurs as a result of Russian attacks, is a direct threat not only to Ukrainian, but also to world security. In particular, as a result of hostile actions, only the Zaporizhia NPP has already been in a blackout seven times and powering the plant's security systems was supplied by diesel generators," the message reads.

According to the minister, such actions of the Russians pose a direct threat to the continent's nuclear and radiation safety.

"Russia is destroying everything that nuclear energy has achieved," the minister emphasized.

Petro Kotin, President of Energoatom NAEC, who also took part in the meeting, informed the French side about the current situation at the ZNPP. According to him, the situation is becoming increasingly worse and requires an immediate response from the world community.

The head of Energoatom emphasized that in order to prevent an accident at the ZNPP, the civilized world must force the Russians to comply with the seven basic principles of nuclear and radiation safety and to leave the Ukrainian plant.

Jacques, in turn, assured that France will continue to support Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression, particularly on the energy front.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 26/09/2023