Russia has to protect Zaporozhye NPP, demilitarization agreements basically impossible - Deputy FM Ryabkov

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Russia deems it is necessary to create a security zone around the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and is ready to do so together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while demilitarization agreements are basically impossible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a commentary to the newspaper Izvestia published on Monday.

"Demilitarization agreements are impossible in principle: we have to protect the plant, to ensure its security," Ryabkov told Izvestia on the sidelines of the international seminar on "Nuclear War Prevention amid Arms Control Crisis" at the MGIMO University.

"A security zone is a different thing, and its parameters are being discussed," he said.

"We believe that a certain process, including a diplomatic one, to coordinate the security zone parameters with the agency [IAEA] is not just possible but also necessary," Ryabkov said.

Izvestia quoted Ryabkov as saying that Moscow is ready for coordination of the sort but it would be premature to speak about the way of its formalization.

"We are in close contact with [IAEA] Director General [Rafael] Grossi, the interaction with the IAEA Secretariat is in progress, and Agency specialists are present at the Zaporozhye NPP. In my opinion, all of that is a palpable manifestation of our constructive, responsible approach," Ryabkov said.

As Interfax reported earlier, Grossi declared progress in the creation of a security zone around the Zaporozhye NPP in mid-October.

The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe operating six VVER-1000 reactor units. The Russian army has been in control of the Zaporozhye NPP since February 28.