Any negotiations regarding ZNPP should be based on complete demilitarization of the plant, claims German Galushchenko

Diplomatic steps to return Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine have so far been unsuccessful. Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko said this on the air of the Yedyni Novyny (United News - ed.) National Telethon. 

"The situation was brought to a standstill. Our position, which we voice at all international platforms, is that any negotiations on ZNPP should be based on: first, demilitarization of the plant, second, withdrawal of rosatom employees from ZNPP. Third, Ukrainian personnel should be given the opportunity to operate the nuclear facility without pressure. But in response to this, we received putin's null and void decree that ZNPP is "federal" property, with the registration of the corresponding company in moscow called Zaporizhzhya Station," said German Galushchenko.

The Minister of Energy said that Ukraine received alarming signals from the IAEA mission working at ZNPP. The russians are behaving highly unprofessionally at the plant.

"The IAEA mission confirms that the russians are operating the plant in such a way that the condition of the equipment and facilities at ZNPP is significantly deteriorating. There is a feeling that one of the invaders' goals is to leave it inoperable after de-occupation," said German Galushchenko.

The Minister also said that in the future Ukraine would rely on the development of nuclear generation and renewable energy sources.

"Nuclear power has been and will remain the basic generation. It will provide up to half of the electricity needs. We plan to obtain the rest from renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydrogen, and hydroelectric power plants. Ukraine has a huge potential for the development of small modular reactors. The future of Ukraine is to become a major energy hub for Europe. We have the capabilities, capacities, and highly qualified specialists for this," said German Galushchenko.

The Ministry of Energy spoke about plans to maximize the decentralization of electricity production and have more maneuvering capacities by next winter. He emphasized that during this heating season, Ukraine had gained a unique experience of the power system operation in the face of numerous damages. This experience will be useful in preparing for the next heating season.