Putin and Macron Agree to Dispatch Experts to Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron. (Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the 11th (local time) and agreed to dispatch experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under the United Nations, to the Ukrainian nuclear power plant.

According to U.S. political media outlet Politico and others, the Kremlin and the ?lys?e Palace announced that Presidents Putin and Macron had a phone call that day to discuss the safety issues of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

The Kremlin stated in a press release, "President Putin conveyed to President Macron concerns that Ukraine's repeated attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant facilities, including the radioactive waste storage, could lead to catastrophic consequences."

The ?lys?e Palace also stated, "President Macron expressed support for dispatching the IAEA expert team to the site as soon as possible."

It added that Russian experts are taking measures to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and Russia is prepared to continue efforts to agree on a "non-political" solution together with the IAEA.

The call between the two leaders was the first since May 28, and Politico reported that the call was arranged at President Macron's request.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, is under Russian military control, but shelling has continued in recent weeks, raising concerns about a nuclear accident. Ultimately, the Ukrainian state-owned company Energoatom, which operates the Zaporizhzhia plant, completely shut down the reactors that day.

Although the shutdown was carried out safely for the time being, the risk of radioactive material leakage remains if fighting continues.

The IAEA expressed that it is "very concerned about the situation" in this regard.

During the call with President Macron, President Putin accused the Ukrainian military of using Western-supplied weapons when attacking civilian facilities in the eastern Donbas region.

Regarding the global food security issue, President Putin argued to President Macron that the European Union (EU) should not obstruct the supply of Russian food and fertilizers to Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

President Macron has been maintaining steady contact with President Putin to mediate a resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he also visited Russia directly in early February to meet with President Putin.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.