Russia calls on Ukraine to pull out heavy weapons from Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called on Ukraine to pull out heavy weapons from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov also urged Kyiv to stop the shelling of the power plant, stressing that it creates "nuclear, environmental, and other security threats for vast territories."

Asked about creating a safe zone around the plant, Peskov said: "First, they called on Russia to withdraw some heavy weapons from there, which it does not have, then everyone seemed to understand that there were no Russian weapons there. Now we need to talk about the security zone for those who are shelling this station (...) -- the artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said.

"That's what we need to demand from Ukraine -- to withdraw heavy weapons, stop shelling, stop endangering the European continent," he stressed.

Peskov said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no authority to name those who shells the nuclear power plant.

"The IAEA is doing its job. It is good that the IAEA confirms that these attacks pose threats to the station and its integrity. Of course, we regret that due to the specifics of the work at the IAEA, as they say, they are not authorized to say who exactly is firing. Russia will continue the dialogue with the IAEA," he said.

The plant in southeastern Ukraine has been under Russian control since March, early into Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Since then, concerns have grown of a possible nuclear disaster between Moscow and Kyiv, with both accusing each other of attacks on the nuclear facility.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of the world's 10 largest, generated 20% of Ukraine’s electricity before the Moscow-Kyiv war started in February.