Diplomatic steps to return the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant under Ukraine's control are currently unsuccessful, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko has said on the air of the telethon.
"The situation has reached a deadlock. Our position, which we express on all international platforms, is that any negotiations on ZNPP should be based on: first, demilitarization of the plant, second, withdrawal of Rosatom employees from ZNPP. Third, Ukrainian personnel should be able to operate the nuclear facility without pressure. But in response to this, we received Putin's null and void decree that ZNPP is 'federal' property, with the registration of the corresponding company in Moscow called Zaporizhzhya Station," said Halushchenko.
The energy minister emphasized that Ukraine receives "alarming signals" from the IAEA mission working at ZNPP. The Russian military is behaving "extremely unprofessionally" at the plant.
"The IAEA mission confirms that the Russians are operating the plant in such a way that the condition of the equipment and facilities at ZNPP is significantly deteriorating. There is a feeling that one of the goals of the invaders is to leave it inoperable after de-occupation," Halushchenko said.
Russians are employing people without the appropriate background at ZNPP.
Recently, the staff of the IAEA permanent monitoring mission has been rotated at the plant.