Sanctions against Russia's nuclear industry can become real tool in ZNPP's de-occupation - Galushchenko

Sanctions against Russian nuclear industry can become a real tool and force Russia to return to the negotiating table to agree on the de-occupation of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

According to Ukrinform, Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko stated this in a commentary for the American TV channel Newsmax, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reports.

"The country that started the war and occupied the plant is responsible for a possible disaster at ZNPP. We can expect any behavior from the Russians. They can go as far as the civilized world will allow them to go," the minister says.

Galushchenko emphasized that the primary task now is to force the Russians to leave the plant.

"Any games with nuclear energy are a threat to hundreds of thousands of people who may be exposed to radioactive impact. These are children and the elderly. Obviously, we cannot allow any incident at the plant. Under certain scenarios, the consequences of the accident may be felt by Ukraine's neighboring countries," he added.

The minister stressed the need to impose sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry. Sanctions can become a real tool to force Russia to return to the negotiating table to agree on ZNPP's de-occupation.

Galushchenko also thanked the United States for the support provided to Ukraine, reminding that Ukraine today is fighting not only for its freedom but also for the values that are the basis of the Constitution of the United States of America.

As Ukrinform reported, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that after conducting additional inspections at ZNPP over the past week, experts found no explosives or mines. But they have not yet received access to the plant's roof from Russia.

On July 21, Ukraine's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, said at a press conference in the Austrian capital on Friday that members of the IAEA mission at ZNPP do not have immediate and unconditional access to the entire territory of the plant and are waiting for days for Russian occupation administration to approve access to the requested locations.