KYIV, Aug 15 – The European Union and 42 states of the world issued a statement in which they called on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (NPP) in the town of Enerhodar, Zaporizhia region and not interfere with the operator and the Ukrainian authorities to fulfill their obligations on nuclear and radiation safety, and the International the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out its mandate.

"We urge the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces and all other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, its immediate surroundings, and all of Ukraine so that the operator and the Ukrainian authorities can resume their sovereign responsibilities within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and the legitimate operating staff can conduct their duties without outside interference, threat, or unacceptably harsh working conditions. This will also enable the IAEA to carry out its verification pursuant to Ukraine's safeguards obligations under safe and secure conditions and in a timely manner," according to the statement of August 12 released on the EU Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna.