U.S. Urges Russia To Withdraw Forces From Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant

Washington/16.08.22/Turan: Washington on Monday reiterated calls on Russia to immediately withdraw its military forces from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid continuing fears over its fate.

"We remain concerned about ongoing military operations at or near Ukraine’s peaceful nuclear facilities," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told TURAN's correspondent during his daily press briefing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office issues a statement on Monday calling on global community to force Russia to give back the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

"We have called on Russia to return full control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine..." Price said. "We’re closely monitoring the activity at the plant."

According to him, both the U.S. Energy Department and the National Nuclear Safety and Security Administration report that radiation sensors "are continuing to provide data, and through that data we’ve seen no indication of abnormal radiation levels"

Nevertheless, he added, "Russia’s military activity around the nuclear power plant is the height of irresponsibility."

"It is not what we would expect of a country that purports to be a responsible nuclear power. We believe that the fighting there is dangerous, it’s irresponsible, and we do continue to urge an end to all military operations at or near Ukraine’s facilities and the return of full control of those facilities to Ukraine." Price said.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.