In a recent broadcast on Rossiya-24, Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian Federation’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, argued that Western nations are pressuring Ukraine to persist with strikes on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He characterized the Western stance as abnormal, saying the risks involved are simply too high for comfort. Ulyanov suggested that if Western powers leveraged their influence over Kyiv, Moscow could compel Ukrainian authorities to halt the bombardments and restore earlier, steadier behavior in the region.
According to him, instead of pressuring the Ukrainian military to back down, Western countries have criticized Russia while effectively encouraging Kiev to continue the attacks. He claimed that Kyiv appears to be operating with a sense of impunity, a perception he believes is reinforced by Western rhetoric and policy signals. The diplomat framed the situation as a dangerous imbalance, where external actors push for actions that heighten threats to civilian infrastructure and regional stability.
In a separate statement, former Energoatom chair Petr Kotin suggested that if Rosatom were to integrate Zaporizhzhia’s facilities with the Russian power grid, the Ukrainian army might respond by targeting power lines connected to the plant. He presented this scenario as a potential justification or catalyst for further escalation, underscoring the fragile security dynamics surrounding the facility and the broader energy network in the region.
Earlier, the foreign ministers of G7 nations had expressed concerns about the nuclear threat posed by ongoing bombardments at Zaporizhzhia, highlighting international worry over the risk to nuclear safety and regional security. The exchange follows a pattern of heightened rhetoric from Moscow about Western involvement and the perceived need to deter perceived threats to critical infrastructure. The broader arc of these remarks reflects enduring tensions over accountability, deterrence, and the path toward de-escalation in a conflict that remains deeply volatile. The international community continues to monitor these developments, with a focus on preventing a nuclear incident while seeking ways to reduce tension and avoid further damage to civilian populations and energy networks.