President calls for Russia to be declared state sponsor of terrorism to prevent nuclear disaster

He said this in his video address on day 194 of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Again - this is the second time - due to Russian provocation, the Zaporizhzhia plant is one step away from a radiation disaster. I consider the fact that Russia is doing this right now, right on the eve of the IAEA conclusions, very eloquent. Shelling the territory of the ZNPP means that the terrorist state does not care what the IAEA says, it does not care what the international community decides. Russia is interested only in keeping the situation the worst for the longest time possible. This can be corrected only by strengthening sanctions, only by officially recognizing Russia as a terrorist state - at all levels," he said.

Zelensky also said that the threat of a radiation disaster at the ZNPP emerged as soon as Russian troops captured the station.

"Ukraine has a very clear, transparent and honest position: while we controlled the plant, there was no threat of a radiation disaster. As soon as Russia came, the worst scenario imaginable immediately became possible. This requires an international response - from the UN to every normal state," he said.

Zelensky also noted that the topic of the ZNPP had been discussed in detail in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, which lasted more than one and a half hours. He said both parties had exchanged views on the results of the IAEA mission to the plant. "By the way, the conclusions of the mission are to be presented tomorrow. I hope they will be objective," he added.

Zelensky thanked Macron and all the people of France "for their unwavering striving for the protection of our common European values, our common united Europe."