US proposes ‘controlled shutdown’ of Zaporozhye nuclear power plant to avoid risks

US proposes ‘controlled shutdown’ Zaporozhye NPPlocated in southern Ukraine and controlled by Russian troops as the best option to avoid a possible nuclear accident.

Simultaneously with the departure of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to the area, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby recalled that Russia had “militarized” Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

“We continue to believe that a controlled shutdown of the reactors would be the safest and least dangerous option in the short term,” an official from USAwho welcomed the launch of an international mission to monitor the situation on the ground.

Kirby, who appeared at the press conference, also assessed the evolution of the military front, noting that Ukrainian forces now have a “good opportunity” to regain ground, according to Politico. On this Monday, they announced the start of a counteroffensive in the Kherson region.

Although the exact scale of these operations is not yet clear, the White House suggests that Russia has already had to transfer resources from the eastern part of Ukraine towards the south, for fear of losing some of what has been achieved in recent months.

“From a strategic point of view (the Ukrainian offensive) has already affected Russia’s military potential within Ukraine”, declared.

They condemn Russia’s “cynicism”

The United States denounced Russia’s “cynical obstructionism” last Sunday after Moscow prevented a joint nuclear nonproliferation treaty (NPT) declaration following protracted international negotiations at the UN.

“After several weeks of intense but productive negotiations, Russia has single-handedly decided to block reaching consensus on an outcome document,” Deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said at the end of the NPT review conference.

And this is for the sole purpose of “blocking wording that simply recognizes a serious radiological hazard at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine,” occupied by the Russian army, the statement said.

Zelensky invites French companies to restore the country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday invited French companies to take part in the reconstruction of his country, especially in sectors such as construction, energy, infrastructure and food.

“Ukraine is a guarantee of Europe’s food security,” Zelensky said during a video interview at the next summer conference of Medef, the main organization of French employers.

The reconstruction will cost about $750 billion, according to estimates by the Ukrainian government itself at an international conference on the issue held in early July in Lugano, Switzerland.

(According to Europa Press and AFP)