The situation at a glance: Kiev demands long-range weapons – Grossi visits nuclear power plant

Not far from the front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called for long-range weapons at a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Zaporizhia. Not only is the release of weapons for strikes against targets in the Russian hinterland necessary, but also the delivery of these missiles, said Zelensky, 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 Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, Kremlin chief 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 learned about the Ukrainian defensive struggle. The Dutchman promised further help for Ukraine.

Zelensky said that they had discussed ways to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities in order to achieve a just peace. This included air defense systems such as new Patriot systems, strengthening the air force with F-16 fighter jets supplied by partners, more ammunition and equipment, and further sanctions against Russia. “All of these measures are important to prevent Russia from opening new fronts in Ukraine,” said Zelensky. He made it clear that he hoped for the release of long-range weapons and named the USA, Great Britain, France and Germany.

Kiev: Netherlands to 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,” Zelensky said on the social network X. This could encourage even more people to return to the city.

Zelensky also visited a residential building that was rebuilt after a missile strike 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 towns are revived,” he said.

IAEA chief travels to Kyiv and Zaporizhia

For more than two and a half years, Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression 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 contested area is great, and the renewed visit by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is a direct result. The nuclear power plant is repeatedly 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 escalated. There had been an explosion in the immediate vicinity of the security zone, which IAEA experts on site believed had been caused by a drone carrying an explosive charge.

Danger for nuclear power plants in war zones

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi announced in Russia last week that Kiev had asked for an expansion of his agency’s presence in Ukraine. He has already visited the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant several times and stationed a team of IAEA experts there. The permanent presence of 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 expected to report on his visit to the Russian Kursk nuclear power plant last week. After Ukrainian troops invaded 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 said. The reactors at the nuclear power plant in the town of Kurchatov had no protective cover, which made them particularly vulnerable to drone attacks or artillery fire. So far, however, operations have been running almost normally, Grossi said. He thanked Kremlin chief 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, making his first visit to a country that recognizes the International Criminal Court since the war began. 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 Mongolian law enforcement authorities should actually have arrested the Kremlin chief during his stay in the capital Ulan Bator. Moscow, however, sees no danger to 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 evade his just punishment. This makes the country partly responsible for Putin’s war crimes, said a spokesman 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 chief wants to meet Mongolian President Uchnaagiin Khürelsüch today, at whose invitation he is in the country. His visit is not only intended to expand cooperation between the two neighboring countries. Putin also wants to use his trip to show that he is not isolated on the international stage despite the war.