Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Nuclear Energy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy views the security of Ukraine's nuclear power system as a critical component of the ongoing defense against Russian aggression, particularly in the context of systematic attacks on the country's energy grid.
He has repeatedly warned that Russia is preparing strikes not only on general energy infrastructure but specifically on facilities and networks serving the nuclear power plants, arguing that such actions show Putin is not interested in peace.
Additionally, Zelenskyy has been actively engaged in discussions regarding the control and return of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), rejecting compromise proposals he deems unfair due to the site's strategic importance for water, electricity, and access.
Context
The subject of Nuclear Energy is critically important to Volodymyr Zelenskyy due to the large number of nuclear power plants within Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which is the largest in Europe and has been under Russian occupation.
Russia's consistent targeting of Ukraine's broader energy infrastructure throughout the full-scale invasion has repeatedly brought the safety of these nuclear facilities to the forefront of Zelenskyy's public and diplomatic engagements.
Timeline
- President Zelenskyy held a meeting with military and energy officials to discuss the security around the country's nuclear power plants.
- Zelenskyy publicly warned that Russia was taking aim at Ukraine's nuclear power system and preparing further strikes on the energy sector, including facilities that service nuclear power plants.
- Zelenskyy reiterated that if Russia wanted peace, it would focus on diplomacy, not on missile strikes or attempts to damage nuclear power plants, stating there is intelligence on sites Russia has reconnoitered for strikes.
- The status of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was a topic of discussion in negotiations, with Zelenskyy stating the plant remains under Russian occupation in a dangerous situation and rejecting a US compromise proposal to split control.
Actions Taken
- Security reviewHeld an expanded meeting with military and energy officials, including the head of Energoatom, to specifically review the protection and security arrangements for the country's nuclear power plants.
- International warningPublicly warned partners and the world that Russia was preparing to strike Ukraine's nuclear power system, using intelligence reports to support the claim.
- Diplomatic negotiationDiscussed the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during negotiations, rejecting a US-suggested compromise on shared control.
Key Quotes
If the Russians were truly serious about ending the war, they would focus on diplomacy—not on missile attacks, not on blackouts, and not on attempts to harm even our nuclear power plants.
We have information on the facilities Russia has been conducting reconnaissance on—reconnaissance for potential strikes.
This is our station. The Russians undoubtedly think it's theirs because they occupied it. They ignore both rules and legal rights.
Sources7
Zelenskyy warns that Russia is readying to strike at nuclear power systems
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.