Ukrainians!
All our defenders!
Every year on April 26, the world remembers the Chornobyl disaster. The worst nuclear disaster in human history.
But this year it is not enough to just remember Chornobyl. And it is not enough to say traditional words of gratitude to the heroes-liquidators. It is not enough to remind why and how the catastrophe became possible. It is not enough to repeat the conclusions that every intelligent person and every adequate society must draw.
Because this year, Russia has created new threats that could surpass even the worst accident.
I remember the night of March 4, when it became known about the fire at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
When Russian tanks fired at the station. They knew exactly which object they were firing at. But they had an order to seize the object at any cost.
They did not care about anything. They did not care that the Zaporizhzhia station is the largest in Europe. They didn't think about how many power units there are and how the shelling could end.
That night I spoke with world leaders. With everyone who could influence the events and stop Russia. I spoke with President Biden, with Chancellor Scholz, with President of the European Council Charles Michel, with President of Poland Andrzej Duda... I spoke with IAEA Director General Mr. Grossi.
If the world had not woken up that night, we would not mention Chornobyl today, because everyone would think about what Russia has done at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
It is even surprising how quickly and completely Russia, the whole country, can forget about the worst catastrophe that its people have experienced as well.
Not only Ukrainians were involved in the liquidation of the consequences of the Chornobyl accident in 1986. But also Belarusians, Russians and others.
