More than 40 countries and the European Union are calling on Russia to demilitarize the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

This comes as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone around Zaporizhzhia, and the world has sought to have Russia permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) specialists to visit Europe's largest nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

"Deployment of Russian military personnel and weaponry at the nuclear facility is unacceptable and disregards the safety, security, and safeguards principles that all members of the IAEA have committed to respect," according to a statement Sunday from the EU.

"The presence of Russian military forces at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant prevents the operator and the Ukrainian authorities from fulfilling their nuclear and radiation safety obligations in accordance with international conventions and IAEA safety standards, and prevents the IAEA from fulfilling its safeguards mandate."

The statement added a call for a Russian withdrawal: "We urge the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces and all other unauthorized 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."

Russia responded Monday saying it will do "everything necessary" to allow IAEA specialists to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear site amid its shelling.

Zaporizhzhia was captured by Russia in March shortly after its invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24. The plant has come under fire in recent days, with Moscow and Kyiv blaming each other for the shelling, which they both say risks a nuclear accident.

The United Nations has the logistics and security capacity to support an IAEA visit if both Russia and Ukraine agree, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi has condemned the dangers of military activity around the power plant.

"We strongly endorse the importance of the fundamental Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security as outlined by IAEA Director General Grossi," the EU statement added.

"Russia’s control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — Europe's largest nuclear power plant — poses a great danger to these principles."

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

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