STOCKHOLM: Former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not deliberately cause a disaster at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Blix, known for his role in inspecting weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and his tenure as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described Putin as a “very rational” leader who “knows what he’s doing.”
In an extensive interview from his Stockholm apartment, the 96-year-old Blix reflected on his past work and current global conflicts. He described the 2003 Iraq War as a “terrible mistake” driven by faulty intelligence and overreach by the US and Britain, a view he has consistently maintained since contradicting US President George W. Bush’s claims of Iraqi WMDs.
Blix also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling Russia’s invasion an “aberration” and acknowledging Putin’s potential regret over the conflict. Despite concerns about the deteriorating safety at Zaporizhzhia, especially after a recent drone strike, Blix expressed doubt that Russia would intentionally target the nuclear plant.
Blix dismissed fears of nuclear escalation, suggesting that major powers, including the US, Russia, and China, are unlikely to engage in direct confrontation due to the risk of second-strike retaliation. Looking ahead, he is hopeful for a future where Russia reintegrates into the global community, despite the current tensions.
Blix emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation to address global challenges, including climate change, pandemics, and international crime, which he views as more pressing than the immediate threat of war.
