The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency reported making progress in his bid to create a protection zone around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Friday that diplomatic efforts to set up the nuclear safety and security protection zone around Zaporizhzhya are making headway, with the aim of reaching an agreement and put the much-needed measure into practice soon.
Grossi spoke after holding what he called "another round of necessary discussions" with Russian government officials in Moscow, including Alexey Likhachev, director general of Russian state nuclear company Rosatom. The IAEA chief also has held talks with senior Ukrainian officials in Kyiv.
“It’s key that the zone focuses solely on preventing a nuclear accident," he said. "I am continuing my efforts towards this goal with a sense of utmost urgency.”
IAEA said the protection zone is needed to help prevent a nuclear accident by stopping shelling to and from a zone around the nuclear plant, which is Europe’s largest. Shelling there has been relatively quiet in recent weeks since a round of intense shelling about a month ago, but IAEA, which maintains a presence at the plant, said military activity can clearly be heard around it.
“As we have experienced several times before during the war in Ukraine, the situation can take a sudden – and dramatic – turn for the worse at any moment," said Grossi. "The plant is located on an active frontline in the middle of a large-scale war. The situation remains extremely precarious and potentially dangerous, and the protection zone remains urgently needed."
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The top Russian-installed official in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region said that shelling of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, had “almost stopped”. #Russia #Politics pic.twitter.com/StfjebmJ3z
Earlier this month, Grossi and Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal agreed to a plan for continuous monitoring of Ukraine's four nuclear power plants, including Zaporizhzhya, and the site of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
A 330 kilovolt (kV) backup power line to the electricity grid also was re-connected at Zaporizhzhya last week, enabling the plant to get the power needed for essential safety and security from the backup line and a 750 kV main external power line.
But a couple days later, Zaporizhzhya on-site power grid fluctuated for a couple hours due to nearby shelling on the northern side of the Dnipro River. IAEA reported all systems remained operational.
Grossi said remains deeply worried about the psychological stress that the staff at the plant face – and the potential consequences for nuclear safety and security. Russia's nuclear regulator also plans to maintain a rotating team at Zaporizhzhya.
IAEA said is preparing to send teams to provide technical support and help as needed on a continual basis to four other Ukrainian nuclear facilities: the Khmelnitsky, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants and Chernobyl site.
