MELITOPOL, January 22. /TASS/. Attempts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss establishing a security zone around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant have been a simulation of taking action, while specific mechanisms, rather than declarations, are needed to implement the initiative, Renat Karchaa, adviser to the chief executive of Russia’s Rosenergoatom nuclear power plant operator, told TASS.
Commenting on a remark by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi who said there was a consensus to establish a security zone around the nuclear facility, Karchaa said, "The parties being unanimous in their opinion to establish a security zone is not a solution. Implementation mechanisms, rather than declarations, are needed to establish such a zone. And it’s quite a way to go from having a shared understanding to reaching an agreement. There have been a plenty of simulations [of taking action], but this is not how it works." According to Karchaa, reaching this agreement would require quite a few participants, with military and political leaders playing a key role.
The process has been aggravated by Ukraine not being an independent country capable of achieving agreements, with its Western patrons "seeking to prolong a military confrontation," the official argued.
"Any agreements are absolutely worthless unless they imply shared responsibility of the parties," Karchaa insisted. He doubted that an agreement was of any use, if a party to it can break it with impunity, as he said Ukraine could not be trusted, judging from the Minsk accords.
Earlier, Grossi said he was planning to continue consultations with Russia and Ukraine on a proposal to set up a protection zone around the Zaporozhye NPP in the coming days and weeks. According to Grossi, everybody agrees that the Zaporozhye NPP needs to be protected, but the negotiations are very complex.