The representative of the State Department emphasized that attempts by the Russian Federation to appropriate Ukrainian electricity are unacceptable.
First Deputy Spokesman of the US State Department Vedant Patel stated that any attempts to disconnect the Zaporizhzhya NPP from the Ukrainian power grid and redirect electricity to the territories occupied by Russia are unacceptable, the press service of the department reports.
“It is clear that Russia's shelling and seizure of Ukrainian power plants and infrastructure is part of its strategy to create an energy crisis in Europe. We strongly condemn any actions at the ZNPP or elsewhere that affect the health and well-being of civilians throughout the region,” Patel emphasized during the briefing.
According to him, no country should not turn the nuclear power plant into a zone of active hostilities.
Patel added that the United States is closely monitoring the reports of the shutdown of the last two operating reactors of the ZNPP, and noted that currently, according to available data, all safety systems and protection of the plant are working normally, there are no signs of an increase in the level of radiation.
Read also: IAEA mission to the ZNPP may take place within the next few days – Grossi
The speaker also emphasized that the Russian Federation's attempts to appropriate Ukrainian electricity is unacceptable.
“To be very clear: the ZNPP and the electricity it produces rightfully belong to Ukraine,” he said.
As reported, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the electricity supply station occupied by Russia it has been restored, but for now it remains disconnected from Ukraine's power grid.
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US President Joe Biden and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a telephone conversation in honor of Ukraine's Independence Day urged Moscow on Thursday to hand over control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP to the Ukrainian authorities.
