In the news: Will the next nuclear disaster start in Ukraine?
This week in Europe: fights around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant threaten Ukraine and Europe, ethnic tensions in Kosovo, and post-saturday-night fever in Finland.
The conflict in Ukraine continues and will soon enter the six-month mark. As reported by the media this week, the situation at and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is one of the most difficult.
Ukraine is accusing Russian forces to use the captured facility as “cover” against a Ukrainian ripost, risking triggering a dramatic disaster (on top of the aggression).
The situation is so dire that the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, asked for a demilitarized zone to be established around Zaporizhzhia, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
🇺🇦 Chernobyl again?
It is not the first time that Ukraine is under stress because of a nuclear incident. In April 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl power plant exploded in the worst nuclear disaster in history.
Ukrainians do not want to revive the horrors of this soviet-era accident. President Zelenskyy said that “The world is on a verge of nuclear disaster.”
Furthermore, Russian armed vehicles have been introduced into the engine room of the occupied plant run by Ukrainian personnel.
🇺🇳 Can the IAEA intervene?
On the occasion of a visit to Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
🇽🇰 🇷🇸 Tensions at the Kosovar-Serbian border
In the last weeks, the northern region of Kosovo, where the Serb minority resides, was the stage of giant demonstrations. Shots were fired and the United Nation peace-keeping force had to intervene to calm the area.
Tensions arose after Kosovo’s decision to force Serbs living in the northern part of the country to use national license plates, instead of Serbian ones, just like it has been so far. The Serb minority in Kosovo refuses to recognise these plates. Following demonstrations, Kosovo agreed to delay the issuing of plates until September.
Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Josep Borrell on 18 August to try and diffuse the tension. Although the meeting was inconclusive, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell claimed that both sides "agreed to continue discussions on a regular basis".
Kosovo and Serbia are both candidate countries to the EU. Add to it that Kosovo is not recognised by countries such as Spain or Greece and that Serbia has been very close to Russia these past months, and you have another tricky challenge at the doors of the Union, in a region not known for its political stability.
🇫🇮 Finnish Prime Minister under scrutiny for… dancing?
Scandal in Finland: the Prime Minister has been shown dancing and having fun in a video posted online.
I know, shocking! Europe sees the return of war, a nuclear power plant might blow up in days, tensions arise in the Balkans, but some tight-ass have nothing better to do than lament at Sanna Marin’s moves.
Sanna Marin is the youngest ever Prime Minister of the country, and at 36, one is expected to have fun, even during times of crisis.
This morning, European newspaper Politico reported that “Marin denied she had used drugs or had been drinking heavily, and said she had “nothing to conceal or hide.” She added: “I have danced, sung, celebrated, done legal things.”
Although infuriating the story might be (the commentators, not the dancing), it prompted the newspaper to craft a hilarious list of dancing politicians. Kudos to Boris Yeltsin’s early version of the Gangnam Style! Watch it here.
Once you do, tell us in the comment who your favorite EU politician dancer is. You can’t beat Jean-Claude Juncker.
🇧🇪 Poll: Back to Brussels yet?
Last week, I asked you whether the EU should ban Russian tourists. You massively voted against this proposal. But Ukraine keeps the pressure and some countries are now more open to the idea.
On a lighter note, I want to know when you, dear readers, plan to be back in Brussels. Answer the poll below, and comment on this year’s best holiday destination.