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France retains dialogue channels with Russia to exclude nuclear catastrophe — government

The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant located in Energodar is controlled by Russian troops
French government spokesman Olivier Veran EPA-EFE/SARAH MEYSSONNIER/POOL
French government spokesman Olivier Veran
© EPA-EFE/SARAH MEYSSONNIER/POOL

PARIS, October 7. /TASS/. France retains diplomatic channels with Russia in order to rule out the scenario of a nuclear catastrophe, French government spokesman Olivier Veran said on Friday.

"France and Western Europe are highly vigilant and will engage all means, including diplomatic ones, in order to prevent the events from unfolding along the scenario of a nuclear catastrophe," he told BFM TV channel. "We heard threats coming from Moscow but the preservation of the diplomatic channels helps us explain that this scenario is inadmissible," the official noted.

"We are closely working with all assumptions, including in the context of the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP)," he said. According to the spokesman, "currently, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) mission is working at the power plant in order to ensure its safety conditions and confirm the absence of problems with its reactors."

The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant located in Energodar is controlled by Russian troops. In early September, the nuclear facility was visited by the IAEA’s mission led by its Director General Rafael Grossi. After the mission left the nuclear power plant, two IAEA employees stayed behind as observers. Later, the IAEA published a report urging the creation of a security zone around the nuclear facility to prevent accidents caused by military action.