Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held telephone talks today (19th) to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.
Putin warned Macron of the risk of a “massive catastrophe” following the shelling of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, according to a summary of the phone call released by the Kremlin. Putin also accused Ukraine of launching the shelling.
Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of bombarding Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which was occupied by Russian forces in March following Russia invaded Ukraine in February, but remains run by Ukrainian technicians. Of the 6 reactors in the nuclear power plant, only 2 are still in operation.
The Kremlin said today’s call was initiated by Macron.
Kremlin went on to say that Putin and Macron both agreed that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would send a team of experts to inspect the nuclear power plant to assess the safety of the plant.
In addition, Putin told Macron that obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilizer products to global markets remain, according to the Kremlin.
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