Biden Criticized for 'Armageddon' Remark
Commitment to Cooperation on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Issue
Russian Forces Suspected of Kidnapping Deputy Director of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and claimed that Russia is ready to resolve all issues related to nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which is under Russian occupation. He criticized U.S. President Joe Biden's use of the term "Armageddon" (the final war of humanity described in the Bible) while emphasizing Russia's nuclear threat, warning that excessive politicization of nuclear activities is dangerous.
According to Russian TASS news agency on the 11th (local time), President Putin mentioned the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during his meeting with Director General Grossi in Saint Petersburg, stating, "Russia is ready to resolve all issues" and "We are willing to discuss all mutually interesting and concerning topics."
He continued, "Today, there is an excessive and dangerous element of politicization in everything related to nuclear activities," emphasizing, "Thanks to the efforts of the IAEA, despite all the disruptions and complex processes occurring worldwide, I sincerely hope that such rhetoric can be reduced and nuclear activities and cooperation can return to a normal state."
This statement is interpreted as a direct criticism of President Biden's Armageddon remarks regarding concerns about Russia's use of nuclear weapons. On the 6th, President Biden warned, "Since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the risk of 'Armageddon' has reached its highest level," adding, "When Putin mentions tactical nuclear or biochemical weapons, it is no joke."
President Putin emphasized, "We have always advocated that all countries should have equal access to the peaceful benefits of nuclear energy," and "Our position has always been that all measures must be taken to prevent the proliferation of military nuclear technology." Director General Grossi also expressed a positive stance, stating, "We will continue discussions on nuclear safety, including at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant."
However, it remains uncertain whether Russia will agree to the establishment of a demilitarized zone at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as requested by the IAEA. There are suspicions that Russian forces occupying the plant continue attempts to seize operational control by kidnapping the plant's deputy director following the abduction of the plant director.
According to The New York Times (NYT), Energoatom, the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear company managing the operation of the Zaporizhzhia plant, issued a statement saying, "Valeriy Martynyuk, the deputy director responsible for personnel operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, was kidnapped on the 10th and his whereabouts are unknown," expressing concern that "he may be pressured by the Russian side to disclose information about Ukrainian workers inside the plant."
Previously, Russian forces abducted Ihor Murashov, the director of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, last month but expelled him to Ukrainian-occupied territory a few days later. At that time, Russian forces reportedly threatened Murashov to hand over operational control of the plant. Russia had earlier declared the nationalization of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and is considering transferring operational rights from Energoatom to a Russian company in the future.
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