Mongolia Kiev demands long-range weapons - Grossi visits nuclear power plant

Not far from the front line, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi once again called for long-range weapons at a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Zaporizhia. What is needed is not only the release of weapons for strikes against targets in the Russian hinterland, but also the delivery of these missiles, said Selenskyj just a few dozen kilometers from the front in southern Ukraine. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is traveling to Kiev again this Tuesday and also wants to visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is continuing an explosive visit.

Russia has partially occupied the Zaporizhia region, but not the regional capital of the same name, where Schoof was briefed on the Ukrainian defense campaign. The Dutchman promised further help for Ukraine.

They discussed ways to strengthen the country's defenses in order to achieve a just peace, Selenskyj said. These included air defense such as new Patriot systems, strengthening the air force with F-16 fighter jets supplied by partners, more ammunition and equipment as well as further sanctions against Russia. "All these measures are important to prevent Russia from opening up new fronts in Ukraine," said Selensky. He made it clear that he hoped for the release of long-range weapons, naming the USA, Great Britain, France and Germany.

Kiev: Netherlands should help with reconstruction

"We also discussed the possibility of the Netherlands assuming patronage over Zaporizhia, which would include supporting infrastructure, protecting normal life and resolving humanitarian issues," Selensky announced via the X social network. This could ensure that even more people returned to the city.

Selensky also visited a residential building there that was rebuilt after a rocket hit in October 2022. "Step by step, we will rebuild everything that was destroyed. We will do our best to ensure that all our cities and communities are revitalized," he said.

IAEA chief travels to Kiev and Zaporizhia

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than two and a half years with Western help. Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russian troops, is also located in the Zaporizhia region. International concern about the safety of the nuclear power plant in the embattled region is great, and the renewed visit by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is a direct consequence. The nuclear power plant has repeatedly been the target of attacks and acts of sabotage, for which Moscow and Kiev blame each other.

In mid-August, inspectors reported that the situation had worsened. There had been an explosion in the immediate vicinity of the security zone which, according to IAEA experts on site, had been caused by a drone with an explosive charge.

Danger for nuclear power plants in the war zone

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi explained last week in Russia that Kiev had requested an expansion of his agency's presence in Ukraine. He has already visited the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant several times and stationed a team of IAEA experts there. The permanent presence of the international experts not only serves to monitor the situation, but also to deter hostilities that could trigger a nuclear accident.

During the talks in Ukraine, Grossi is also likely to report on his visit to the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk last week. Following the invasion of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, the IAEA chief warned of the danger of a nuclear incident and called on the warring parties to adhere to the rules of nuclear safety.

The fighting in the area was causing serious concern, Grossi had said. The reactors of the nuclear power plant in the city of Kurchatov have no protective cover, which makes them particularly vulnerable to drone attacks or artillery fire. So far, however, operations have been running almost normally, said Grossi. He thanked Kremlin leader Putin for the invitation and the opportunity to visit the plant.

Putin in Mongolia - Ukraine demands his arrest

Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday evening, his first visit to a country that recognizes the International Criminal Court since the start of the war. In March last year, the court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine - which is why the Mongolian law enforcement authorities should have arrested the Kremlin leader during his stay in the capital Ulan Bator. However, Moscow sees no danger for Putin due to the friendly relations between the two countries, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained.

The Ukrainian government is demanding the arrest of the Russian president and has accused Mongolia of helping him to evade his just punishment. This makes the country partly responsible for Putin's war crimes, according to a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Kiev. The Mongolian government's failure to execute the binding arrest warrant against Putin is a serious blow to the international criminal justice system and will have consequences.

The Kremlin leader wants to meet Mongolian President Uchnaagiin Chürelsüch today, at whose invitation he is in the country. His visit will not only serve to expand cooperation between the two neighboring states. Putin also wants to use his trip to show that he is not isolated on the international stage despite the war.

SDA