16 April 2024,   22:50
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Biden, Zelensky demand Russia cede seized Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as disaster fears grow

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a phone call honouring Ukraine’s independence day, called on Moscow to hand over control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukrainian authorities.

They also called forinternational officials to assess the plant’s safety, amid fears of a nuclear disaster, with Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of shelling the site near front lines in southern Ukraine.

“The two leaders also called for Russia to return full control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine and for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the plant.

Russia should agree to (a) demilitarized zone around the plant and allow the IAEA visit as soon as possible to check on the safety and security of the system”, - White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a briefing with reporters prior to the publication of the readout.

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