The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is developing a concept for the protection of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) at Energodar and the area around it. This was announced by the Director General of the Agency Rafael Grossi, who arrived at the ZNPP on March 29 transmits CASS.
“I try to prepare and propose realistic measures (to protect the plant) that can be accepted by all parties,” Grossi said after visiting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
According to him, the new concept is being discussed with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. It is designed to protect the nuclear power plant “more locally”, estimate Grossi RIA Novosti. The IAEA is also working to create a protection zone around the nuclear power plant.
The head of the organization said that a nuclear disaster, if it occurs, will affect not only Russia and Ukraine, but also Europe, and this must be avoided. “I’m an optimist and I believe it’s possible,” Grossi said.
At the same time, he noted that the situation at the nuclear power plant remains “very dangerous” and unstable against the backdrop of increased military activity in the region, transmits Reuters.
“The plant should not be a target, and the nuclear plant should not have heavy weapons. This is something we have to agree on. » said Magnified.
The IAEA chief visited the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for the second time since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine and stayed there for more than three hours, informed Interfax. Grossi’s first visit to the station was in September 2022.
How Remarks TASS, the IAEA delegation included 11 people, including Grossi himself and three inspectors from Slovakia, France and Japan, who arrived on a rotating basis. They arrived accompanied by seven representatives of the United Nations Department of Security and Support.
Before visiting the ZNPP, Grossi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyy and visited the Dnieper hydroelectric power station in Zaporizhzhia. Permanent Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov did not exclude that the head of the IAEA can come to Russia, in particular to discuss the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that there are no such plans.
Press Secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov informed that Grossi “is in constant contact” with representatives of the Russian state company Rosatom and “other colleagues”, while President Vladimir Putin is not going to meet him.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant came under Russian control in March 2022. After that, Moscow and Kiev repeatedly accused each other of bombing the territory of the station. The IAEA called for the withdrawal of the Russian army from the territory of the nuclear power plant and an end to hostilities nearby. In October 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin sign Decree on the transfer of facilities of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Russian jurisdiction.
