Transfer of ZNPP control to third party ruled out: Russia FM

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There is no question of any Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) transfer from the control of Russia or the transfer of control to some third party, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik.  

"There can be no talk of any withdrawal of ZNPP from Russian control or transfer of control over it to some third party," she said, adding that "The station is located on Russian territory and is fully controlled by Russia."

"We proceed from the premise that only we are able to ensure the physical and nuclear security of the Zaporizhzhia NPP," the spokeswoman emphasized.

Moscow is aware of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi's desire to visit Russia again, and the Russian Foreign Ministry is determined to accept him, but there are no particular agreements on the visit's timing yet, Zakharova told Sputnik.

"We are aware of Grossi's desire to visit Russia again, and we are determined to receive him to discuss a wide range of issues related to the activities of the IAEA," she said, but "there are no specific agreements on the timing of such a visit."  

It is untimely to say that the parties are close to agreeing on an acceptable deal between Russia and Ukraine on the creation of a safety zone around the ZNPP, Zakharova said.

Earlier, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that experts were nearing an acceptable agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the creation of a safety and security protection zone around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

"First of all, it should be noted that there are no direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the issue of a security zone around the ZNPP," Zakharova commented on his statement, adding that they were "discussing the possible parameters of the declaration on the creation of a zone of protection of nuclear and physical, nuclear safety of ZNPP with the IAEA Secretariat, which, in turn, is trying to interact with Ukraine."

"It is not timely to say that the parties are close to an agreement. The question in principle is whether Kiev is ready to commit itself to stop shelling and attempts to seize the ZNPP, and whether the IAEA will be able to achieve the implementation of such hypothetical agreements by Ukrainians," the spokeswoman added.