Putin warns of danger of "nuclear catastrophe"

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during a phone call that the bombing of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which he blamed on Kyiv, could lead to a large-scale catastrophe.

Moscow and Kiev have traded accusations over the bombing of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which was seized by Russia last March, but is still operated by Ukrainian technicians.

Of the six reactors at the plant, only two are still in operation.

In a statement about the conversation, which it said came at the request of Macron, the Kremlin said: “Vladimir Putin stressed, in particular, that the systematic bombing of the vicinity of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant by the Ukrainian army raises the risk of a large-scale catastrophe that could lead to radioactive contamination of vast areas of the country. lands."

The Kremlin said that Putin and Macron stressed the importance of sending a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency to the station as soon as possible.

The Kremlin stated that Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to provide the agency's inspectors with all necessary means of assistance.

Also during the phone conversation, Putin constantly told Macron about the obstacles to the supply of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets.

For its part, the Elysee Palace said that Macron had told Putin that he was concerned about safety risks at the Zaporizhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, adding that Putin had agreed to send a mission of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency to the site.

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