Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP
Vasily Nebenzya said Russia was calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks
UNITED NATIONS, April 16. /TASS/. Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said the report on the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi is too cautious.
"We are grateful to the leadership of the agency for prompt and clear condemnation of the direct attacks on ZNPP and the call to stop provocations. We decided to start our speech in this way to demonstrate how strange the generally balanced and relevant assessments of the director general sound when they use such impersonal phrases as ‘whoever was behind the attacks.’ Also, contrary to the obvious facts, the side behind the attacks on the plant is not mentioned, although it is well known to all of us. That’s even as IAEA experts, who are present at the site, have the opportunity to see everything with their own eyes," he said at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation at the ZNPP.
Nebenzya added Russia is calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks.
"In view of the above, we are calling on the IAEA leadership to recognize the obvious fact and instead of engaging in verbal gymnastics, to indicate the source of attacks on the Zaporozhye NPP," he said at the UN Security Council meeting. "This is not a political issue. It now is simply a question of safety at the plant and nuclear and radiation safety in Europe. The hesitation of the agency's secretariat to call things by their names only encourages officials in Kiev to make further irresponsible and extremely dangerous steps.".