Łukašenka tells IAEA chief he won’t capture Chernobyl nuclear plant

October 1, Pozirk. Belarus has no need to capture the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Alaksandar Łukašenka has told Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at a meeting in Minsk.

Łukašenka said that Ukraine has recently accused him of plans to take control of the plant.

“Belarus does not need it. And, believe me, Russia also did not, is not and will never need it,” he said, as quoted by his press office.

Ukrainska Pravda said Kyiv has never made the accusations cited by Łukašenka.

Pozirk could not find any remarks by Ukrainian officials on Belarus’ plans to capture the Chernobyl plant.

Russian invasion troops entered the Chernobyl exclusion zone on February 24, 2022, and were occupying it until March 31, controlling the site and the plant.

Ukraine has regained the territory and restricted access to the exclusion zone.

Also read: Kyiv to put border guards in charge of Chernobyl exclusion zone’s border section