U.S. 'Very Concerned' About Russian Nuclear Saber-Rattling — Top Official

"The United States firmly believes the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant belongs to Ukraine, as does the energy produced there," a top State Department official said on Tuesday when responding to TURAN's questions.

"We support the IAEA and Director General Grossi’s efforts to protect that plant," Ann Ganzer, the principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department's  Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, said during a special online briefing organized by the State Department's Brussels Media Hub.

Washington is also "very concerned" about the nuclear saber-rattling, she added.

The use of a nuclear weapon "would just be beyond the pale," as Ganzer put it, making it clear that "the use of any kind of nuclear weapon would be completely unacceptable to the United States."

Speaking at the briefing, Diane Farrell, the deputy under secretary for International Trade in the Department of Commerce, also condemned Moscow's actions.

Russian war on Ukraine, she said, has "demonstrated that when the Russians take an aggressive action, they will use oil and gas exports as a retaliatory weapon."

Washignton is reaffirming its commitment to supporting nuclear energy innovation. The advanced technologies will support much-needed energy security, spur clean global energy transitions in a smart, cost-effective and secure way, and will advance national and international security and non-proliferation goals, the officials said.

For Ganzer, it’s "important to understand that our efforts to transition to clean energy cannot be done alone."

"We must build transatlantic and transpacific partnerships..."  she said. "We need to find ways for our suppliers to work with those from likeminded states to bring the benefits of nuclear energy to bear on climate, on the energy independence of our friends and allies, and, to us for national and international security."

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.