Arthur de Laborde, edited by Ophélie Artaud 7:19 a.m., August 20, 2022
While for several weeks Russians and Ukrainians have been accusing each other of strikes against the Zaporijia nuclear power plant, taken by Russian troops at the start of the war, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin have agreed to send experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency at the scene.
During his speech for the liberation of Bormes-les-Mimosas, in the Var, Emmanuel Macron again denounced the brutal attack of Russia in Ukraine.
He asks the French "to agree to pay the price of freedom".
The head of state also spoke by telephone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday.
They both spoke out in favor of sending a mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Zaporijia nuclear power plant as soon as possible.
A new telephone exchange between the two leaders in the coming days
The two presidents have agreed to send a mission of IAEA experts on the spot, and this on "conditions accepted by Ukraine and the United Nations", specifies the Elysée.
The principle of this mission had in fact already been accepted by Vladimir Putin.
But until now, he demanded that international experts travel to Zaporizhia through Russian-controlled areas.
Unacceptable conditions for kyiv, which he interpreted as an attack on his national sovereignty.
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During their interview, Vladimir Putin finally made a commitment to Emmanuel Macron that the IAEA mission could arrive on the site via Ukraine.
A first obstacle has therefore been removed, but there are still many points to be settled before the experts can actually begin their work.
It will first be necessary that the security of the plant be guaranteed.
In other words, that a ceasefire in the area be negotiated.
It will also be necessary to fix the technical modalities of the operations.
This is why Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Poutine have planned to speak to each other again in the coming days.