Former United Nations (UN) weapons inspector Hans Blix said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin would not risk a disaster at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, despite growing international concerns about its safety.
The Kremlin leader was “very rational” and “knew what he was doing”, a former Swedish foreign minister said, insisting repeatedly that Iraq was not developing nuclear weapons before the 1990 Gulf War.
Blix (96 years old), served as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1981 to 1997.
Blix later headed a team of UN inspectors tasked with determining whether Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.
He could never be sure of that.
His findings contradict claims made by US President George W. Bush, who ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
“This was a huge mistake by the US, based on misinformation and the belief that US intelligence knew more than we did,” Blix told AFP. “The Iraq war was an aberration.”
At that time, Blix said, the US faced no risk of intervention from Russia or China, and the US and UK took on the role of “world sheriffs.”
Blix is now more optimistic about the future of global conflict.
Putin Made 'Mistake'
The former diplomat published a book called “A Farewell to Wars” last year, acknowledging that the title was “very provocative” given the “challenges of the moment,” with ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Like the US invasion of Iraq, Blix called Russia's invasion of Ukraine an “aberration.”
“Putin made a mistake, and I'm sure he regrets it,” he said.
The IAEA warned on August 17 that the safety situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was “deteriorating” after a drone attack occurred nearby.
The nuclear power plant, which was seized by Russian forces early in the war, has been attacked repeatedly, with both sides accusing each other.
However, Blix, who led the IAEA during the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, does not believe Russia would deliberately attack the site.
“I don't think Russia would do it on purpose, no.”
“I would be very surprised if Russia did not give instructions to its military to avoid serious damage.”
He is also not worried about Putin's repeated threats to the West of nuclear war.
“He tries hard, he shakes nuclear weapons and makes threats, but he's not stupid.”
“As long as there is the possibility of a second attack, there is a fear of escalation.”
“The major powers — the US, Russia and China — do not want to get involved in a situation of direct confrontation with each other.”
Looking to the future after the war in Ukraine, Blix said that Russia eventually “must return to the world and Europe,” although “it will take time.”
“Perhaps,” he said, “there will be a feeling that we now need to fix and patch up the situation.”
“I am a multilateralist,” he said with a smile.
“There are so many global problems in the world that you can't solve if you're isolated.”
Blix said the international community must work together to address its biggest challenges, such as global warming, which he said was “more concerning” than the threat of war. He also stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling pandemics and international organized crime. (ah/ft)
