The Ministry of Energy appreciates the United States' introduction of a new sanctions package against russia, specifically targeting those directly involved in the illegal management of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
“I welcome the U.S. decision to impose sanctions on the occupation administration of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and subsidiaries of Rosatom. Every day of the ZNPP’s occupation brings the world closer to a catastrophe. The only way to ensure the safe operation of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is to return it as quickly as possible to Ukraine’s lawful control,” wrote Ukraine’s Minister of Energy, German Galushchenko, on his Facebook page.
He added that Ukraine continues to work on expanding sanctions to cover the entire nuclear industry of the aggressor country.
It is worth recalling that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly called on russia to de-occupy the ZNPP and return the plant to Ukraine’s control. The Agency has noted that russian forces, that have stationed their troops and military equipment at the ZNPP, have violated all seven fundamental pillars of nuclear and radiation safety.
IAEA representatives remain at the temporarily occupied plant, but their capabilities are severely limited as russian forces block physical access for international experts to several facilities on the site.
Since the occupation began, the Zaporizhzhia NPP has experienced blackouts eight times.
