War against Ukraine: ++ Selenskyj warns of a nuclear threat to Europe ++

06:31 a.m

Zelenskyj warns of nuclear threat to Europe

In view of the ongoing attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has again accused Russia of “blackmail”. The “occupiers” used the nuclear power plant to spread fear “in an extremely cynical way,” Zelensky said in a video message.

Every day that the Russian contingent stays in the area of ​​the nuclear power plant increases “the nuclear threat to Europe,” Zelensky said. He accused Russian troops of “hiding” behind the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant to shell the Ukrainian-controlled cities of Nikopol and Marhanets.

Moscow and Kyiv have been blaming each other for the attacks near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by the Russian army since early March. Zelenskyj called for “new sanctions” against Russia with the aim of “blocking” the Russian nuclear industry. Those responsible for this “extortion” must be judged “before an international court,” Zelenskyy said.

After the first attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear plant on August 5, one reactor had to be shut down. A pumping station and radiation sensors were damaged in attacks last Thursday. The Ukrainian authorities and western allies are demanding a demilitarized zone around the nuclear power station and a withdrawal of Russian troops.

06:38 a.m

Macron agrees to NATO expansion

French President Emmanuel Macron has signed the ratification protocol for the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, thus officially confirming his country’s approval. The “sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden” will make “a significant contribution” to European security, declared the Elysée Palace.

The French parliament ratified the accession of the two countries to NATO on August 2nd. Sweden and Finland had given up their decades-long neutrality in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which began on February 24, and applied for NATO membership in May.