French, Ukrainian presidents discuss situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - The presidents of France and Ukraine on Saturday discussed the latest situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine over the phone, the Elysee Palace said.

Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed their support for the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the statement added.

The two leaders reiterated the demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces from the area to guarantee the security and safety of nuclear installations, it said.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also confirmed the talk on Twitter. “I briefed him on the course of hostilities. I raised the issue of banning visas for Russians.”

“Much time was given to the crisis at #ZNPP. Our position is the only way to protect Europe from a nuclear disaster is to demilitarize the plant,” he added.

On Monday, the bulk of the IAEA representatives left Zaporizhzhia with two staying behind as observers.

Under Moscow’s control since early in the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe's largest nuclear power plant has been shelled several times, raising concerns of a nuclear disaster.