Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting of the UN Security Council on 24 September 2024/Photo: President's website
President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russia is preparing to attack three Ukrainian nuclear power plants. According to him, Ukraine possesses relevant evidence. The President made this statement during a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
“If Russia is ready to go this far, it means that nothing you value matters to Moscow. This cynicism from Russia will continue if you let it», — Zelensky said.
In this context, the President referred to the «formula for peace.» In his opinion it has the potential to safeguard the UN Charter.
“This war must end not because someone sacrifices or makes concessions to Putin, but because the UN Charter must be upheld. Our right to self-defense must prevail», — Zelensky added.
The President also mentioned that «some states» have suggested meeting with Putin. At the same time Zelensky does not understand what they hope to hear from the Russian leader.
“That he is upset that we are exercising our right to defend our people? Or that he wants to continue the war and terror to avoid admitting his mistakes? This is madness», — Zelensky said.
The day before, Zelensky accused Russia of using Chinese satellites to photograph Ukrainian nuclear power plants. This might be done in preparation for strikes on them.
In addition, Energoatom previously reported that more than 100 Russian drones and missiles had flown near Ukrainian nuclear power plants in less than a month.
It is also worth noting that on August 26, Russian forces attacked energy facilities that transmit electricity from nuclear power plants to the grid. Following this, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expanded its monitoring mission in Ukraine. Observers are inspecting power substations connected to nuclear power plants.
As a reminder, refusal of Russia to participate in the second Peace Summit indicates its lack of desire to achieve a just peace. However, this does not mean that Ukraine will be unable to compel the aggressor country to the negotiating table.
This opinion was expressed by Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, on Hromadske Radio.