US stands ready to help Russia in oil spill cleanup in Norilsk - Pompeo

WASHINGTON, June 6. /TASS/. The United States stands ready to help Russia in cleaning up the diesel oil leak in Norilsk and to offer technical expertise, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday. "Saddened to hear about the fuel spill in Norilsk, Russia. Despite our disagreements, the United States stands ready to assist Russia to mitigate this environmental disaster and offer our technical expertise," he said. The US Department of State and White House have not yet replied about the form of US assistance to TASS request. Over 21,000 cubic meters of petroleum products spilled at the Thermal Power Plant No. 3 of the Norilsk and Taimyr Energy Company (part of the metals giant Norilsk Nickel) on May 29 after the concrete foundation of a fuel storage tank sank, causing the fuel facility’s collapse. The fuel spilled into the ground on an area of 180,000 square meters and also in local rivers, contaminating the territory and causing damage to the environment. Around 500 people and 70 vehicles have been engaged to clean up the area. They managed to limit the spread of oil and localize the spill up to now. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a decision to declare a federal emergency in Norilsk. Read more