German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that regardless of how the Ukraine conflict unfolds, security at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) must be maintained. The remark came amid ongoing discussions about the facility’s safety in a tense regional context. Scholz stressed that protecting nuclear facilities is essential even as hostilities continue, and he acknowledged the importance of international leadership in keeping the situation stable and secure for nearby populations and the broader energy system.
Scholz noted that it was crucial to first speak with President Xi Jinping and then coordinate with all members of the G20 to affirm a clear stance: nuclear weapons must not be employed. He indicated that any effort to undermine ZNPP operations cannot be tolerated, pointing to the need for unwavering safeguards and containment measures to prevent escalation. The German leader underscored that safety at nuclear power installations must be a priority, irrespective of geopolitical shifts or wartime pressures.
Vladimir Rogov, who heads the Zaporozhye regional movement known as “We are with Russia,” asserted that Kiev is preparing a provocation at the ZNPP. He claimed to base this on intelligence gathered from multiple sources, and he alleged that British intelligence services were coordinating the effort through connections to Ukraine’s defense ministry and its security agency. Rogov presented these assertions as part of a broader warning about possible destabilizing actions near the plant, urging vigilance from the international community and regional authorities.
Earlier statements by NATO and allied bodies touched on Ukrainian plans and security considerations around the facility. The broader discourse centers on ensuring uninterrupted safety protocols, robust emergency response capabilities, and transparent monitoring to address concerns from neighboring states and global partners. In this context, experts stress the importance of credible information sharing, verifiable risk assessments, and sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent miscalculation or accidental escalation while the crisis remains unresolved. [Citation: NATO statements and regional security analyses]