Grossi held talks with Russian officials over safety of Zaparozhye NPP
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The IAEA Director-General says he will continue his efforts to protect the Zaparozhye nuclear power plant
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Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaks at a press conference, in Vienna, Austria, 17 December 2021 (AP)
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi met with Russian officials in Kaliningrad on Wednesday for talks to ensure the safety of the Zaparozhye nuclear power plant.
His trip comes a week after he visited the power plant. Only days after the start of the Ukraine war, Russian forces were able to secure the six reactors in the city.
I met high level officials from several 🇷🇺agencies today in Kaliningrad. I continue my efforts to protect the #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. My recent visit to #ZNPP confirmed the urgent need to achieve this vital objective, which is in everyone’s interest. pic.twitter.com/iaudoqRZjC
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) April 5, 2023
There have been persistent fears over the safety of the plant, which is Europe's largest atomic power station.
"I met high-level officials from several Russian agencies in Kaliningrad," Grossi said on Twitter.
"I continue my efforts to protect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," he said, adding that this was "in everyone's interest."
The head of Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, was among the officials Grossi met.
Likhachev had informed Grossi of "the steps that are being taken by the Russian side to ensure the safe operation" of the plant, Rosatom said in a statement.
The statement affirmed that the Russian side was "ready to work on" initiatives put forward by Grossi.
The Russian delegation was also able to display firsthand to Grossi the effects of Ukrainian shelling on the nuclear site.
The Rosatom statement said that Grossi was also informed about the new Russian diesel generators and modular boiler houses at the plant.
During a visit to the plant last week, Grossi said he was "trying to prepare and propose realistic measures that will be approved by all parties."
"We must avoid catastrophe," he warned and expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine would agree on safety principles.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations has called for a demilitarised zone around the Zaparozhye nuclear power plant.
Read more: Grossi inspects ZNPP and sees no offensive weapons.
