When resolving environmental problems, countries should be above political differences, told RIA Novosti member of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Elena Panina, commenting on the United States offer of assistance in Norilsk.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously expressed regret over the fuel spill in Norilsk and stated his readiness to assist Russia in combating its consequences.
According to Panina, after eliminating the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the United States has gained serious experience in overcoming the consequences of such accidents. According to the politician, the problems of environmental protection are universal in nature and “when resolving these issues, it is necessary to be above political differences.”
“Obviously, cooperation and mutual assistance is in any case better than the aggravation of confrontation and sanctions wars,” Panina said.
One of the diesel fuel storage tanks at TPP-3 (owned by NTEK, a member of the Norilsk Nickel group) in Norilsk was damaged on May 29 due to a sharp subsidence of the foundation supports, and about 21 thousand cubic meters of fuel leaked. Norilsk Nickel considers the main cause of the accident warming in permafrost, which set in motion pylons under the fuel tanks. In the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, a federal emergency mode was introduced. On Friday, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported the location of spilled fuel.