Russia Says Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant is Ours
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on March 25 that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant belongs to Russia. They claim this because they took control of Ukraine‘s regions, including Zaporizhzhia.
Moscow says 98% of people in these areas wanted to be part of Russia. However, Ukraine and other countries say this was a fake vote. People were forced to choose at gunpoint.
The Russian government says it is impossible for the plant to go back to Ukrainian control or for anyone else to manage it with them. They also said that keeping the plant safe would not work if Ukraine was in charge.
Russia took control of the plant early on during the invasion. The United Nations monitors the site, just like they do at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants. However, Russia keeps attacking Ukraine’s energy system, and this has caused problems with electricity to the plant.
Ukraine wants the plant back under their control. They reject Russia’s claim that it belongs to them.
The US President said in a phone call that the US could help manage and even own some of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.