French President Emmanuel MacronIn a phone call on Sunday, the Kremlin, one of the few Western leaders to maintain an open dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine, urged the withdrawal of troops from the besieged Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the bombing of the plant, which the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned could happen.very disastrous” Archaeology.
Macron stood by Kyiv in his call with Putin, according to a reading from the Elysee Palace.
“[Macron] He pointed out that the Russian occupation was the cause of the dangers that today weigh on the safety of the Zaporizhzhya power plant, “the French president told Putin.” Russian forces withdraw their heavy and light weapons and follow up on the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure the safety of the site.”
Meanwhile, Putin, Blame it on Ukraine to endanger the plant.
“The Russian side drew attention to the systematic Ukrainian attacks on plant facilities, including the storage of radioactive waste, which is fraught with serious consequences,” a Kremlin statement read.
Russian forces retreat as Ukrainian soldiers return to their main areas of Kharkiv
Russian forces took control of the plant in the early days of the war, but it is still operated by a Ukrainian crew.
The International Atomic Energy Agency visited the plant, the largest in Europe, last week and called for a security zone to be established to protect it.
Physical assault, intentionally or unintentionally – hit it “This facility, which I can see in person and assess with my experts, is simply unacceptable,” said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On Sunday, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that a backup power line had been restored to the plant, allowing external electricity to enter the facility to cool the reactor and other operations.
Ukraine’s nuclear energy agency, Energoatom, said it had to halt operations at the plant on Sunday as a precaution.
Macron, who vowed to continue talking to Russia earlier this month as well Putin’s invasion condemned Sunday.
“[Macron] He condemned the continuation of Russian military operations in Ukraine and recalled his demand to stop them as soon as possible, start negotiations and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Reuters contributed to this report.